Recently, a news outlet reported the Abia State House of Assembly’s decision to nullify Law number 4 of 2021, regarding pensions for former governors and deputies.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo strongly criticized the practice of providing pensions to former state governors and their deputies, deeming it both outrageous and criminal.
Obasanjo voiced his stance during a visit to Governor Alex Otti at his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, asserting that the pension system for former governors equates to nothing less than “daylight robbery.”
The repealed law not only encompassed pension provisions but also included arrangements for security, medical care, and household staff for former governors.
During his visit, Obasanjo urged governors who implement such pension schemes to emulate the actions of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and promptly terminate the practice.
Addressing Otti directly, Obasanjo expressed his concerns about the glaring disparity between the lavish pensions of former governors and the unpaid pensions of ordinary citizens since 2014.
Commending Otti’s decisive move in repealing the law, Obasanjo expressed hope that other governors would follow suit, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to reform governance practices across states.
Additionally, Obasanjo emphasized the paramount importance of infrastructure development in Abia State, highlighting its potential for growth and prosperity with effective leadership and investment in infrastructure.
In response, Otti assured the former president of his administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing infrastructure, particularly in Aba, as a crucial component for the state’s progress.
