Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has opposed planned law prescribing monthly post-service life pension of between N0.1 million and N0.5 million for members of the state House of Assembly House.
The party also observed how the strange idea, which was proposed as a bill and passed by the House on Wednesday, has set the public pulse racing.
APC in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Doife Buokoribo described the bill as unjust and an unspeakable crime against the people of the state.
“APC Bayelsa completely rejects this life pension bill for members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The bill is unjust, ungodly and self-serving, it was unsympathetic for members of the House of Assembly to seek to enhance their own lives at the expense of the vast majority of Bayelsa people living in pain and penury. The life pension bill is an unspeakable crime against our people.
“APC has been at the forefront of efforts to enthrone a regime of better life for the people of Bayelsa State. And we have led a robust opposition to the current system of anti-people governance in the state for close to eight years.
“Regarding this latest move by the House of Assembly, we again say that the idea is avaricious, wicked, and insensitive. By proposing such a law, the lawmakers have merely portrayed themselves as a people who feel no concern for the feelings of their suffering constituents. They have once again confirmed that they are in cahoots with the executive in the serial impoverishment of the people of Bayelsa State,”
The party further urged the legislature to withdraw the obnoxious pension bill and avoid the appalling crime against the people of Bayelsa State, and urged Governor Seriake Dickson to reject the bill.
“In the event of the legislature’s refusal to heed this solemn advice, we appeal to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, if he is still in touch with his essential humanity, to refuse assent to the pension bill when it is transmitted to him. Failing this, the party calls on the people of Bayelsa State to embark on a campaign of peaceful resistance against the rogue assembly and the poverty regime of Governor Dickson,” it said.
