Politics
‘Drop Bill On Life Pension For Senate President, Others’
The National Publicity Sec
retary of United Progressive Party, Chief Ogbuehi Dike, has advised the National Assembly (NASS) to drop the proposal for life pension for leaders of the National Assembly.
The Senate, on Tuesday, concluded its debate on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution and approved life pension for the Senate president and his deputy.
The assembly also approved a similar proposal for the speaker of the House of Representatives and his deputy.
Dike said in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that most NASS leaders had worked and retired elsewhere and did not need to get another pension.
He said that the NASS leaders had truly contributed to the development of the country and as such should look elsewhere for compensation.
Dike urged NASS members to have a rethink and drop the idea, especially now that the country was trying to revive its economy.
“You cannot come and work for four years or eight years and you will be asking for life pension.
“It will not do a country like Nigeria any good because our economy is not strong enough for such venture,” Dike said.
He said the severance allowances paid to the legislators should be able to pay their bills after service.
Dike said that life pension was counter-productive and would have a serious setback on the country’s economy if not addressed immediately.
“If NASS members are asking for life pension, what will be the faith of a common man walking on the street?
“They should remember that there is hunger in the land, people are living far below poverty line in this country,” he said.
Dike urged the legislators to put the interest of the country above personal interest by making laws that would benefit the citizens.
It would be recalled that the Senate had approved 16 of the 31 clauses recommended by its committee on the review of the constitution.
The President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, had said at the commencement of the voting by senators that it would require 73 votes to support the desired changes in the current constitution.
He, however, urged his colleagues to vote according to their consciences.
Mark said that the pension proposal was passed with a “Yes’’ vote of 86 and 13 “No’’ votes and one abstention.
The proposal is: “Any person who has held office as President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be entitled to pension for life,” Mark said.
He said the rate would be equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.