Abolish governors’ pension law, Kano Assembly urged

The Kano State House of Assembly has been urged to repeal the Pension Rights of Governor and Deputy Governor Law 2007. A non-governmental organization, Voice of Progressive Youth, which made the call in a letter it presented to the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, noted that the law gives more attention to the governor and his deputy to the detriment of the masses. The letter was jointly signed by the group’s chairman and secretary, Comrade Muhammad Hamisu Sharifai and Comrade Abubakar Ali Bagwai. Section 3 (1) of law, signed by former governor of the state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, states that former governors and their deputies are entitled to pension equivalent to the annual total emolument of the incumbent governor. Other benefits include two personal staff, two brand new vehicles to be replaced every four years as well as two drivers and free medical treatment for former governors and members of their families within Nigeria and abroad. According to the law, the former governors are entitled to 30-days vacation within Nigeria or abroad, a furnished and an equipped office in any location of their choice. The Voice of Progressive Youth observed that with the current economic recession, the law would further deplete the lean the treasury of the state. “The law would make former governors and their deputies landlords, just as it would cause unnecessary competition among politicians. The law would also fuel corruption and nepotism”, the group said.