Governorship candidates of some political parties in Akwa Ibom Sunday kicked against the payment of monthly pensions to former governors and deputy governors as political settlement after office.
They pledged to do away with such policy which they described as self-serving and selfish.
The governorship candidates made the vow during Governorship Debate 2023, organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council, at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.
Also read: Akwa Ibom pensioners yawn as govt pays April 2016 Gratuity
They said it was unfair for former governors to be paid pensions when majority of the civil servants who served the state for 35 years and retired could not be paid by the state government.
The debate which attracted a sizable crowd was sponsored by about 27 organisations, including Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Yiaga Africa, Youth Alive Foundation, Ibom Peoples Congress, LEAP AFRICA, Action Aid and Project Alert, among others.
Fielding questions from panelists on what would be his position on the payment of pensions to former governors if elected, Ezekiel Nya-Etok of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said he would have nothing of it, adding that, any governor who has spent four or eight years in office should be able to take care of himself after leaving office.
“I will stop and have it abolished. The time has come for the people to elect good people who will think about the development of the state and not their selfish interest,’’ he said.
For the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who was the immediate past interim secretary of the APC said, he would approve a special benefit to former governor Victor Attah for his visionary leadership of the state but would abolish the payment of pensions to other governors and their deputies.
Ekere Essien, a medical doctor and governorship candidate of the Action Democracy Party (ADC), said “governance is for service; it should not be for making gains or profit.”
Some of the governors want to grab it all and some of them don’t have experience in the private sector, that is the reason they want to grab and grab.
“As for me, I will not allow this bogus pension to continue, it is unfair and insensitive. I will not allow it to stand under my watch. A governor does not need a pension. I will never, never do that.’’
Senator Bassey Albert also known as OBA of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), who joined the debate through zoom said, he would only support medical reimbursement for former governors and not the payment of pensions.
Similarly, Iboro Otu of the African Action Congress (AAC) said it was not a reward seat promising to abolish pension payment to former governors.
On the development of a deep sea port in the state which has been on the drawing board of successive administrations, the governorship candidates said it was a doable project which they would implement to create jobs and expand the economic frontiers of the state.
Answering questions on other issues including whether they would obtain more loans for the state as it is now, the candidates said they would do away with the growing debt profile of the state government, if elected, reschedule the debts and resist the urge to secure more loans.
“We will reschedule the debt, we will look for experts to advise us on the issue of debts,’’ said Akpanudoedehe.
Pension for Life Act
The Pension for Life Life Act for former Governors and Deputy Governors enacted in 2000 (as amended) in 2006.
Based on Section 1(1) of the law, “An indigene of the state who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of former Cross River State and a person who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state shall when he ceases to hold office be entitled,” to the new perks.
A former Governor is entitled to a mansion, new official car and a utility vehicle once in every four years, one personal aide and the provision of adequate security for his person.
He collects N200 million annual pay retirement perks.
Under the law, the former governor and his deputy pocket a total of N2, 223, 705. 00; and N2, 112, 215, 00 respectively as monthly and a total of N26, 684, 460,00 and N25, 346, 580 respectively as pension, per annum.
This provision is in contrast with Section 1(b) of the bill, which indicates that security shall be provided to former governors during their lifetime at the expense of the government.
However, the deputy governor is entitled to N2 million or an equivalent of $20,000 monthly allowance to hire cooks, chauffeurs and security guards.
The governor and his spouse also access free medical services at a sum not exceeding N100 million or an equivalent of $600,000, while the deputy and her spouse will pocket N30 million or an equivalent of $200,000, annually.
The governor is entitled to at least a “5-bedroom maisonette” in Abuja or Akwa Ibom for the governor. The deputy governor is given no house, but 300% of annual basic salary for accommodation.
The Act provides 300% furniture allowance, 300% vehicle maintenance and fuelling, (Both earned severance gratuity of 300% salary), yearly utility of 100%, and entertainment allowance of 100%.
The law says that the state will bear the cost of funeral of ex-governors while condolence allowance- equivalent to salary- is paid to next of kin.
The law also stipulates free medical services for himself and his wife at a sum not exceeding N100 million or an equivalent of $600,000 His wife is also to enjoy a N12 million medical allowance in case she survives him.
PDP, APC Boycott the debate
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umo Eno, and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akanimo Udofia, have withdrawn their participation in the political debate for the forthcoming election in the state.
The Chairperson of the organising committee, Aniekan Udofia, informed the audience that the two candidates, Messrs Eno and Udofia, have withdrawn from the debate.
“This morning, after a firm confirmation from the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, we received a letter addressed to the NUJ chairman stating his withdrawal from the debate,” Mr Udofia said.
“Again, this afternoon, while we were also preparing for the debate, the committee had met with the APC gubernatorial candidate, Obong Akan Udofia, and he said he is indisposed and not feeling too good, so he will not be at the debate.”
The NUJ Chairperson in Akwa Ibom, Amos Etuk, said in his opening remarks that the debate was “evening of history” in the 35-year-old state.
He thanked the participating candidates, saying the debate would help Akwa Ibom people to make informed choices.
“Nigerian media, especially in Akwa Ibom State, will continue to set agenda for good governance and hold the government accountable,” Mr Etuk said.
