He Socioeconomic Rights and Responsibility Project (SERP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “publicly instruct former governors now serving as ministers in their administration to stop collecting annuities, exotic cars and other allowances from their states while serving as ministers.”
SERAP urged him to “instruct former governors to immediately return to the public treasury the pensions and allowances they have received since leaving office.”
The following former governors are now ministers in the Tinubu administration: Abubakar Badaru; Wike of Nyesom; Beautiful Matawalle; Adegboyega Oyetola; and David Umahi. Others are: Simon Lalong; Atiku Bagudu; and Ibrahim Geidam.
In the letter dated August 19 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution implicitly prohibits the appointment of former governors who receive life pensions while serving as ministers. [as amended] and the international legal obligations of the country”.
SERAP said: “It would be acting in the public interest by preventing former governors who now serve as ministers in their government from collecting life pensions, especially given the current dire economic realities in the country.”
SERAP LOGO (PHOTO CREDIT: @SERAPNigeria)
The letter read in part: “If the ministers the president appoints are those who collect life pensions rather than serve the public interest, then that may show little about the conduct and integrity of the ministers, but it says a lot about the exercise of authority.” presidency. power of appointment.”
“Nigerians will judge you in part by the conduct, integrity and honesty of the ministers you appoint to work in your government. Ultimately, the success of his government will depend on the conduct of the ministers he appoints.”
“While many retirees are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers are paid huge severance payments upon leaving office, and are poised to enjoy double pay on top of the opulence of office holders. politicians”.
“We would appreciate if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“The exercise of his appointment power must reflect the ethical and constitutional guarantees and requirements, and the fundamental principles of integrity and honesty.”
“Preventing former governors from receiving double emoluments would be entirely consistent with the proper exercise of their constitutional power to appoint ministers.”
“Preventing former governors from drawing life pensions would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the common good and the benefit of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, rather than catering to the opulent lifestyles of a few politicians.”
“Instructing former governors who are now serving as ministers in your government to stop collecting life pensions from their states would also enhance public confidence in the integrity and honesty of your government.”
“The constitutional oath of office requires that public officials refrain from all improper acts, including the collection of life pensions, that are incompatible with the public trust and the general objectives of the Constitution. A false oath lacks truth and justice. Oath affidavits require the swearing-in to pledge to uphold and uphold the Constitution.”
“According to our information, the following former governors are now ministers in their administration: Badaru Abubakar (former Governor of Jigawa State and Minister of Defense); and Nyesom Wike (former River State Governor and FCT Minister)”.
“Others include: Bello Matawalle (former Governor of Zamfara State and Minister of State for Defence); Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola (former Governor of Osun State and Minister of Transport); and David Umahi (Minister of Works)”.
“Others are Simon Bako Lalong (former Governor of Plateau State and Minister of Labor and Employment); Atiku Bagudu (former Governor of Kebbi State and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning); Ibrahim Geidam (former Governor of Yole State and Minister of Police Affairs).
Former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong
“States currently implementing lifetime pensions for former governors include Jigawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Yobe, and Rivers. Many of these states owe workers’ wages and remain the poorest in the country.”
“Several of the pension laws in these states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to healthcare and cooks, butlers and pensionable gardeners.
“Other provisions 100 percent of the annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives, and police officers permanently assigned to former governors.”
“SERP notes that in his inaugural address as president he promised that his administration will be guided by ‘the principle of the rule of law, a shared sense of justice and fairness’, and that ‘Nigeria will be governed impartially in accordance with the constitution. ‘”
“These commitments are consistent with his constitutional duties under sections 5, 130 and 147, and the oath of office, under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“By the combined reading of these provisions, your government has a legal obligation to appoint as ministers former governors whose conduct is fully consistent and compatible with constitutional and international legal requirements.”
“These constitutional provisions also require you to instruct former governors to stop collecting life pensions and return the collected pensions to the public treasury.”
“The country’s international legal obligations, especially under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, also impose a legal commitment on public officials to perform a public duty truthfully and faithfully.”
“Lifetime pensions for former governors serving as ministers are totally inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption.”
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“The convention specifically in paragraph 1 of article 8 requires you and your government to promote integrity, honesty and responsibility in the management of public resources.”
“In addition, magistrate Oluremi Oguntoyinbo in a judgment of November 26, 2019 also indicated that the double remuneration of former governors is unacceptable, unconstitutional and illegal. In fact, ex-governors collecting life pensions while serving as ministers would clearly amount to taking advantage of entrusted public office.”
“’Public function’ means activities in the public interest, not against it. The alleged collection of life pensions by former governors who now serve as ministers amounts to private interests or self-interest. It is also detrimental to the public interest.”
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