Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of APC, has commended Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his plan to repeal the state law that ensures life pensions for former governors and deputy governors.

Reacting to the development via his Twitter handle, Tinubu wrote

“Congratulations to Governor Sanwo-Olu over the 2021 budget which he appropriately christened ‘Budget of Rekindled Hope’. This audacious and enterprising budget will empower our people and begin to rebuild Lagos State.
“In particular, I would also like to commend the governor for the plan to commence the repeal of the pension law giving pension packages to former governors and their deputies. This is a bold and courageous move by Mr. Governor and I wholeheartedly support him. I encourage all APC loyalists to do the same.”

Tinubu who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, had shortly before leaving office, signed the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007, which states that former governors of Lagos State are entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja in any location of their choice.

The law also stipulated that former governors of the state are entitled to other benefits such as a house in any location in Lagos State, six brand new cars every three years, 100 per cent of the basic salary of the serving governor, (N7.7m per annum) free health care for himself and members of his family.

The law also says a former governor will be entitled to furniture allowance, which is 300 per cent of their annual basic salary (N23.3m); house maintenance allowance, which is 10 per cent of basic salary (N778, 296); utility allowance, which is 20 per cent of the salary (N1.5m) and car maintenance allowance, which is 30 per cent of the annual basic salary (N2.3m).

Other benefits include an entertainment allowance, which is 10 per cent of the basic salary (N778,296), and a personal assistant, who will earn 25 per cent of the governor’s annual basic salary (N1.9m).

The law adds that a former governor is entitled to domestic workers comprising a cook, a steward, a gardener, and others whose appointments are pensionable. The law also adds that a former governor will be entitled to eight policemen and two officials of the Department of State Services for life, according to the Lagos law.

Sanwo-Olu while presenting the budget, expressed interest in the need to repeal the law as the funds to continue it are no longer available.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.