The Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has revealed the reason behind his decision to stop collecting pension from his state as a former governor.
Speaking on Tuesday during the News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Abuja, the Senate President stated that he wrote a letter to his state to stop the payment of the pension.
Saraki revealed that the letter came after the complaints lodged by some persons regarding former governors currently serving as senators of ministers receiving double payments in form of pensions and salaries from their new jobs.
Recall that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, a civil society had accused former governors in the country now serving in other political capacities of receiving double pay from government.
Speaking during the event, Saraki said: :No, I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension.
“So, I speak for myself on that part; I’m not doing that, I am not receiving pension from my state.”
Addressing the issue of other past governors now senators collecting pension for their past offices, the Senate President added: “I think I will leave everybody to their individual decision. Morally, if you have got another job, you should give it up until when you are truly a pensioner.
“Some of these oversights are not addressing the issues. What the states should do is to go and amend their laws to say that if you have another appointment then you are not entitled to that benefit. With this, we will just simplify the matter.”
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