₦airaland Forum

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode could walk away from his Lagos State job without any pension benefits to fall back on, if lawmakers make good their threat to impeach him over what they say is “misconduct,” in respect to the 2019 budget.

Ambode is being accused of implementing a budget that had not been approved by the House of Assembly. Of the 34 lawmakers who spoke at the plenary on Monday, 28 called for the impeachment of the governor, while six others called on him to resign.

In the event that Ambode is impeached, he risks missing out on nearly a billion naira of pension benefits reserved for past governors of Lagos state.

The Lagos state pension law stipulates that a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: The first of the robust list of benefits are two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja.

Work done by land surveyors on the properties of some of the past governors of Lagos state, say the Lagos house could be worth N500 million and N700 million for an Abuja house.

Past Governors are also to be given six brand new cars replaceable every three years, which works out to two a year. If each of those cars cost say N10 million.

There is also furniture allowance, which is 300 percent of the Governor’s annual salary and is to be paid every two years.

Assuming the Governor earns N24 million yearly, his furniture allowance would be N72 million for two years and N36 million each year.

Finally, there is N2.5 million in monthly pension which implies N30 million a year. In comparison, a former grade level 15 retired civil servant who served the state for 35 years is given is entitled to N80,000 monthly as pension.

Adding a past governor’s monthly pension to his annual salary and furniture allowance equates to N90 million. This excludes the cars and houses.

Given that these benefits are for life, Governor Ambode, born 14 June 1963 and aged 56, could earn over a billion naira, according to a conservative estimate by BusinessDay.

The average life expectancy for a Nigerian is 55 years, according to 2018 data by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Seeing that Ambode has surpassed that age, we assumed that if he lives till 70, then he could earn N1.26 billion for another 14 years.

If he is impeached, however, he leaves the job with no pension, according to legal experts.

“The provision of the law on the eligibility of an impeached Public Office Holder (Governor or Deputy Governor) is clearly provided for in Section 1(2) and Section 4 of the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law 2007 and Section 124 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” said Afolabi Araromi, an associate at Lagos-based legal firm, Templars.

“These sections stipulate that where a Public Officer Holder is removed from office by the process of impeachment or for a breach of any provision of the Constitution, such Public Officer shall not be entitled to a grant of pension or gratuity under the law. Consequently, where the Public Officer is impeached by a democratic process, such Officer will not be entitled to a grant of pension or gratuity,” Araromi told BusinessDay in an emailed response.

Ambode’s planned impeachment comes amid a frosty relationship between him and the lawmakers who did not support his re-election bid during the primaries.

The lawmakers opted instead to endorse Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who would later beat Ambode to the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket.

Sanwo-olu will now battle main contender, Jimi Agbaje, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), at next month’s elections.

Ambode, who was seeking a second-term, is said to feel betrayed by the House and their relationship has gone downhill since then, prompting some to say his impeachment ploy is political.

The lawmakers, through a voice vote Monday, expressed their intentions to impeach Ambode because according to them, he has been making drawdowns from a budget that has not been approved by them and is yet to be signed into law.

The House Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and his colleagues have now given Ambode one week to show up before them to explain why he’s been spending unapproved funds from the 2019 budget.

“If it is true that Ambode actually spent unapproved funds, the House of Assembly has the right to initiate impeachment,” a legal expert told Business Day.

“However, due process must be followed.”

Ambode is yet to respond to the lawmakers’ invitation.

Source: https://businessday.ng/politics/article/ambode-risks-billion-naira-pension-benefits-as-lawmakers-threaten-impeachment/

Front page: Lalasticlala

all these things for 1 person?

Rubbish! The house should just leave the guy alone and stop the humiliation.

See the way the government are wasting money, 1billion naira pension because he was a governor, are we so rich, if only we can reduce the cost of maintaining government officials, Nigeria will be better. Ambode should not be impeached since he has not done any wrong against the law.

Ambode is being accused of implementing a budget that had not been approved by the House of Assembly.

The State assembly has every right to do its job. His feeling on the matter are irrelevant. If Ambode broke the law he should face the consequences or simply resign. Whining about conspiracies doesn't absolve him. He has his chance Monday to defend himself.

Ambode was the account general before he became governor. He can't feign ignorance about the topic. If he's innocent he should be able to easily defend himself. If he's guilty he can kiss that lavish pension goodbye.

If I were Ambode I'll steal all the money I can now, because after ambode will be useless politically. That's what a coward gets, you step down for somebody, they still want to impeach you

amaniro:
If I were Ambode I'll steal all the money I can now, because after ambode will be useless politically. That's what a coward gets, you step down for somebody, they still want to impeach you

Who did Ambode stepped down for?

femidejulius:
Who did Ambode stepped down for?

Babajide Sanwolu

Good for him.
I dont pity Ambode a single bit.
After Ambode was pushed aside by Tinubu (even when everyone felt he did well in Lagos,) he should have decamped and contest under PDP, and i can bet he would defeat Sanwo-olu in the elections, but he was too scared of being impeached. And he was probably promised a Ministerial position if he accept to step down, and he fell for it. But he forgot that APC is Promise and Fail.
Now after stepping aside, the very impeachment he was fearing is before him.
He is a big fool and deserve what he coming to him.

And my greatest annoyance is with Lagosians that have watched aloof for decades as Tinubu runs lagos state as his private property by unilaterally deciding who governs and who shouldnt.... In this 21st Century?
And the way they hail and worship Tinubu like a god makes him feel he is untouchable..
Unbelievable.
The Yorubas!!!!
Let me reserve my comment.

In comparison, a former grade level 15 retired civil servant who served the state for 35 years is given is entitled to N80,000 monthly as pension.

Adding a past governor’s monthly pension to his annual salary and furniture allowance equates to N90 million. This excludes the cars and houses.

The pension is outrageous. Why should the state provide him with 6 cars and 2 houses. Lol why dont the pay for his insurance while they're at it. These guys are well paid while in office they should settle for reasonable pension. Giving all these crazy allowances doesnt make sense they should pay their own stuff.

Lagos isnt the only state with extremely generous pensions. Akwa Ibom has outrageous pensions for ex governor and deputy governor. 200 millon naira yearly, 2 cars replacable every 4 years, a cook and aide etc. These guys should get lump sum and pay for own stuff.

Front page: Lalasticlala Mynd44

Ambode never stepped down for nobody. He contested the primary and lost by a wide margin. If he was a coward, he would have stepped down before the primary. Even when all odds were against him, he still contested but lost.

amaniro:
Babajide Sanwolu

They should just allow this guy be now. What has he done to warrant this level of humiliation?
Give your business or idea a say among its competitors. It must outshine them this year. Get your website/blog/software today. Check my signature for contacts.

Cowards die many times before their death!

They cannit impeach Ambode. Anyone threatening is just rambling. They need the SCJ to complete the act. The SCJ is Ambode's acolyte, same as commissioner of police. So matter is DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

Meanwhile, I heard APC is demanding N48b from him and he refused. Good man! You cannot eat your cake and have it. They should go to the usurper governor Oyetola.

Amitez:
They cannit impeach Ambode. Anyone threatening is just rambling. They need the SCJ to complete the act. The SCJ is Ambode's acolyte, same as commissioner of police. So matter is DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

The SCJ isnt a trump the panel she has to raise has to prove he didn't spend money that wasnt budgeted. This a clear cut case of did he break law or not. He already admitted he did spend money. Unless the panel wants stall or lie for him. The State assembly all want him gone. 28 are calling for his impeachment and the other 6 are told him to resign.

(5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief judge of the State shall at the request of the speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section.

within three months of its appointment, report its findings to the House of Assembly.

Bump