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I am always wondering why most Nigerians
don’t think about the credibility of our Federal
legislatures and the plans of our former military
leaders that are in position of authority in this
country. My observation has shown to me that most of
them are working towards enriching their families at
expense of Nigerians.
The Senate, on Wednesday, approved life allowances for
all former presidents, military leaders, Senate
presidents and their deputies, Speakers of House of
Representatives and their deputies, as well as former
chief justices.
Also to benefit from the life allowances are the wives
and children of late and living former presidents and
vice-presidents. The allowances will be incorporated in
the annual budget of the Federal Government, which will
make provision for their remuneration.
This was sequel to the passage of a Bill for Act to
provide remuneration for former presidents, heads of
federal legislative houses and chief justices of the
federation (and other Ancillary Matters) 2010.
Consequently, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari,
Ibrahim Babangida, Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo,
Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar, would be
beneficiaries, all being ex-military heads of state that
were never elected by Nigerians. These set of
beneficiaries forcefully acquired power and ruled people
like animals; yet they will collect allowances for life
and their children and wives will collect salaries for
life too.
As we know, it is not out of place for children and the
wives of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime
Minister, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, first Governor-General and
Alhaji Shehu Sagari’s family to benefit from the
life-long gain, but it look somehow and portrays our
nation’s legislative arm as a useless one for endorsing
the payment of the families of some former military
dictators that did nothing but woe to our economy.
Actions of most of the former military leaders led to
the current state of this country. They gave birth to
corruption, militancy, hostage takings etc yet, they
will still collect allowances for turning our nation
upside down.
Also included are former Senate presidents, Anyim Pius
Anyim, Adolphus Wabara, Ken Nnamani, current president,
David Mark and their deputies. Past and present heads of
the House of Representatives and their deputies are also
part of the benefitting public office holders.
However, people like Chuba Okadigbo and Patricia
Olubunmi Ette are automatically benefactors of the
process. It would be recollects that Chuba Okadigbo
spent millions of Naira to celebrate xmas and salah when
he was the Senate President. Patricia Ette on her own
case was impeached based on corrupt practises yet she is
part of the beneficiaries of the new Bill. If this is
how Democracy is being run in the western world -they
would not be where they are today.
In the former amendment to Section 84 (5) of the Bill by
the Senate, payment of remunerations and allowances were
restricted to only elected former presidents and the
vice-presidents.
According to the Senate, all the beneficiaries are to be
“paid up-keep allowances from time to time by the
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission
and shall be approved by the National Assembly.
“They are also entitled to the perquisites of office as
recommended from time to time by RMAFC and approved by
National Assembly.”
The bill stipulated that members of the families of the
deceased former presidents and their deputy presidents
shall be entitled to annual payments as shall be
recommended by RMAFC and approved by the National
Assembly and in a manner prescribed by the National
Assembly.
It added that “the allowances specified shall be applied
for the upkeep of the spouses and education of the
children of the deceased former presidents and deceased
former vice-presidents up to the university graduate
level or its equivalent.”
Late dictator, Gen. Sanni Abacha that denied so many
Nigerian children quality education and basic amenities
through his reckless and wicked style of governance will
also benefit from the new bill; the wife and children of
the late General will collect allowances while the
widows and children of people killed by sanni Abacha
were left in agony.
KAZEEM OLOWE
Public Affairs Analyst.
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Published
November 5th, 2010
