Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has voiced his concerns over what he described as ‘scandalous’ pension benefits for some former governors in Nigeria, News About Nigeria reports.
Falana criticised the practice, adding that while these governors approved substantial pension payments and allowances for themselves, they often neglected to settle the pensions and gratuities of their former workers during their tenure.
In a statement he signed and released to the media, Falana stated that Nigeria can no longer sustain the payment of exorbitant pensions to former governors while pensioners are owed meager arrears.
He voiced his displeasure at the imbalance between state leaders’ huge compensation and pensioners’ unpaid or delayed pensions.
The human rights lawyer particularly condemned the pension laws of Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, describing them as the most scandalous.
Falana called attention to the fact that over 20 former governors are now serving as senators, receiving sizable salaries and allowances alongside their pensions.
He referenced the cases of SERAP v Attorney-General of the Federation and Alhaji Garba Umar v Taraba State Government, where both the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court declared null and void the payment of pensions and gratuities to former governors and deputy governors.
Providing details on the pension benefits in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, Falana urged other state governments to follow the examples of Kwara, Imo, and Zamfara, which have already abolished the payment of such pensions.
He commended the Lagos State Government’s recent decision to reduce pensions by 50 percent and cited instances where some former governors directed their respective states to cease pension payments, considering their current roles as senators.
Falana concluded the statement by calling on other state governments to abolish the practice of providing extravagant pensions to ex-governors.
He stressed the importance of aligning the pension laws applicable to former governors with those governing other public officers, emphasising the need for financial responsibility and fairness in the pension system.
