Opinions

Pensioner senators

ON 27th February 2018, the Kwara State House of Assembly passed a bill stopping the payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors whenever they are holding political or public office. The following day the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, issued a statement commending the action of the State House of Assembly which came two months after his (Saraki’s) conversation with the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad. Subsequently some correspondents have commended Saraki for what they described as “his rare demonstration of selflessness and fairness”. It is nothing of the sort. Saraki was governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011 after which he won election to the Senate where he has been ever since. In the twilight of his governorship he assented to a bill from the Kwara State House of Assembly which provided extravagant pensions for governors and deputy governors. The package for governors included a purpose-built house in Ilorin and another in Abuja, official cars (not just one car) which are replaced every few years, and paid staff. Saraki took advantage of all this even as he was earning salary and allowances at the Senate.

The collection of ‘double payment’ is not only unconscionable and immoral; it is also at variance with extant rules and regulations governing employment in the public sector of Nigeria. Saraki is not alone in this disgraceful malfeasance – but he could lay claim to the dubious honor of being its pioneer. There was public outcry recently when it became known that currently not less than 20 serving senators are earning salaries and allowances in the National Assembly and at the same time receiving pensions from their respective states as former governors or deputy governors. It is also widely reported that several serving ministers in President Buhari’s cabinet are similarly involved.

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Therefore, Saraki’s influence in the passage of the said bill by the Kwara House on 27th February 2018 constitutes, at best, implied atonement for wrongdoing; it is commendable especially because public direct or implied admission of guilt or wrong doing is not in the character of Nigerian political leaders. On the contrary they shamelessly celebrate even those who have been convicted and have served jail terms! However the action taken by Saraki is insufficient. He and all those who have been collecting ‘double payment’ should publicly apologize for their misdemeanor, and refund the pensions they have collected to date. In addition the relevant bodies should investigate whether the double payments were fully disclosed for tax purposes, and whether any crimes have been committed.

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Finally, the laws governing the payment of pensions to political office holders at the State and Federal levels should be reviewed. The payment of extravagant pensions to them is flawed; it is inappropriate, provocative and unwise; it constitutes unnecessary and unsustainable burden on the resources of the nation. The previous practice of once-and-for-all severance pay would be better – if there is need to pay anything at all. The current known pensions are mind-boggling, unconscionable and untenable; they reveal and confirm the shameless, insatiable greed and self-centeredness of our political leaders. Why on earth should the pension of a former governor or deputy governor include a purpose-built house at all, not to mention one in the state capital plus another in Abuja? Why should they be entitled to multiple expensive cars which are replaced every four years or less? Why should they be given numerous domestic, security and other staff at public expense? Are governors whose elections are nullified and tenure truncated by the courts also entitled to these pensions?