It is no longer news that no fewer than 21 ex-governors and deputy governors who are either senators or ministers in the current administration are collecting outrageous pensions from their states, even as they are also collecting their full emoluments from the Federal Government coffers.

But unknown to many Nigerians, the story does not end at that point as there are several other public servants who are also drawing double pay from the Federal Government or from state governments because they a serving government on different capacities now, but were former this and that at the federal or state level.

The list is endless; retired military men, customs or police officers etc. They might also be retired civil servants who have been reappointed by government in new capacities as director generals, ministers, board members, Ambassadors etc.

Analysts say though the affected people have not broken any law of the land, they said that it is, however, immoral and detrimental to the Nigerian economy, especially during this recession period.

They noted that the country is losing a whopping sum of N200 billion annually due to the anomaly.

The state governments are reportedly spending not less than N80 billion annually on pension payments to these former governors who are also drawing salaries from the Federal Government as serving senators and ministers.

Latif Adedeji, a Professor of Transport Management at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Osun State, who lamented the situation, said the country is faced with the situation because it is a nation that continues to recycle people in every administration.

According to him, the states and Federal Government is paying over N120 billion to other officers of government who are now serving the government in new capacities.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission RMAFC) approves payment of 300 per cent basic salary as severance allowances for political office holders on leaving office.

The former governors who now senators are: Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Kabiru Gaya (Kano), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Theodore Orji (Abia), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara), Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Jonah Jang (Plateau). Others are Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto), Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), George Akume (Benue) and Isiaka Adeleke (Osun). Former deputy governors now in the Senate are Mrs Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti) and Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe (Abia)while Danladi Abubakar Sani was the acting governor of Taraba State.

Former governors but who are now ministers include Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chris Ngige (Anambra) and Babatunde Fashola (Lagos).

Largesse for ex-governors According to the Lagos Pension Law allegedly approved by former governor Bola Tinubu in 2007, a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja (property experts estimate such a house in Lagos to cost N500m and Abuja N700m).

His successor, Babatunde Fashola will enjoy the same largesse in addition to his emoluments as a minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinate Others are six brand new cars replaceable every three years; furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual salary to be paid every two years, and a close to N2.5 million as pension (about N30 million pension annually).

He will also enjoy security detail, free medicals including for his immediate families. Other benefits are 10 per cent house maintenance, 30 per cent car maintenance, 10 per cent entertainment, 20 per cent utility, and several domes-tic staff.

In Rivers, the law provides 100 per cent of annual basic salaries for ex-governor and deputy, one residential house for former governor “anywhere of his choice in Nigeria”; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years.

His furniture allowance is 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years en bloc. House maintenance is 10 per cent of annual basic salary.

In Akwa Ibom, the law provides for N200 million annual pay to ex governors and deputies. Such a person enjoys a pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor/deputy governor respectively.

A new official car and a utility vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 million per month and N2.5 million for the deputy governor.

There is also a free medical services for governor and spouse at an amount not exceeding N100 million for the governor per annum and N50 million for the deputy governor.

Also, there is a five-bedroom mansion in Abuja and Akwa Ibom and allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor.

He takes a furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years in addition to severance gratuity.

The Kano State Pension Rights of Governor and Deputy Governor Law 2007 provides for 100 per cent of annual basic salaries for former governors and deputies.

Furnished and equipped office, as well as a 6-bedroom house; “well-furnished” 4-bedroom for deputy, plus an office.

The former governor is also entitled to free medical treatment along with his immediate families within and outside Nigeria where necessary.

It is the same for the deputy. Two drivers are also for former governors and a driver for his deputy; and personal staff below the rank of a Principal Administrative Officer and a PA not below grade level 10.

There is a provision for a 30-day vacation within and outside Nigeria. In Gombe, there is N300 million executive pension benefits for the ex-governor.

In Kwara, the 2010 law gives a former governor two cars and a security car, replaceable every three years, a “well-furnished 5-bedroom duplex,” furniture allowance of 300 per cent of his salary; five personal staff, three SSS, free medical care for the governor and the deputy, 30 percent of salary for car maintenance, 20 per cent for utility, 10 percent for entertainment, 10 per cent for house maintenance.

The Zamfara version of the law, signed in 2006, gives former governors pension for life, two personal staff, two vehicles replaceable every four years, two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad.

The law also gives the former governors a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office, free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria.

In Sokoto, former governors and deputy governors are to receive N200 million and N180 million respectively being monetization for other entitlements which include domestic aides, residence and vehicles that could be renewed after every four years.

Section 2 (2) of the Sokoto State Grant of Pension (governor and deputy governor) Law, 2013 states that “the total annual pension to be paid to the governor and deputy governor, shall be at a rate equivalent to the annual total salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor of the state respectively.”

https://newtelegraphonline.com/double-pay-nigeria-spends-n200bn-senators-ministers-annually/

All this money on ex-officials, they've left offices yet they still live like governors, Where are they getting this monies from?

Nigeria What's the way Forward

I dont blame them though,but I blame the gullible masses tht voted them into the NASS & buhari the grandpa tht appointed them.

What a waste. Sigh!!!!

This is serious

one senator earning what 100 average Nigerians are earning in same period, BUHARI AND HIS FELLOW POLITHIEFCIANS, GOD IS WATCHING

The need to restructure is super glaring . . .

lol

Extravagant government.

The problem is not Buhari or Jonathan
But the faulty foundation built by politicians to Enmass wealth for themselves and their future generations to the detriment of the masses

The need to restructure the country has never been glaring than now
Rise up Nigerian youths and stop defending crooks on social media with an empty tummy

We voted Buhari hoping he would clear all these mess, unknown to us that Buhari is Jonathan grandfather in ineptitude and ineffectual, thereby taking us from fry pan to fire.

Only God can save us from this cesspit of a country.

Buhari is also to blame for wasting 6 month to appoint saints as ministers but later appointed the same criminals in the system & also made himself minister of petroleum so as to be earning double salary.

III hope revolution happen in dis country

Bunch of theives

I don't care, Nigerians in general don't care. God will bless us when our time comes. It is the time of the senators, God has blessed them. So let them enjoy!

Okonjo Iweala said it, the senators n reps are the ones milking the country dry.

Jafar1:
one senator earning what 100 average Nigerians are earning in same period, BUHARI AND HIS FELLOW POLITHIEFCIANS, GOD IS WATCHING

What is Buhari problem with this?

KidsNEXTdoor:
The problem is not Buhari or Jonathan
But the faulty foundation built by politicians to Enmass wealth for themselves and their future generations to the detriment of the masses

The need to restructure the country has never been glaring than now
Rise up Nigerian youths and stop defending crooks on social media with an empty tummy

Well said friend, the system is faulty even if we install a super saint as president, he won't perform.