By It Is Morally Wrong To Be Receiving Both Salary And Pension- Senate President, Saraki
The Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki disclosed that he had stopped collecting pension as a former Governor of Kwara State.
Senator Saraki made the declaration on Tuesday during the News Agency of Nigeria Forum in Abuja.
He declared that he had written the State Government to stop his payment of the pension.
It was gathered that the Senate President’s move is coming after some individuals and groups complained that former Governors who are currently lawmakers or Ministers were receiving pension and salary in their new positions from same source.
Among such group was Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project who also joined in accusing the former Governors of receiving double pay from Government and declared it as illegal.
While responding to questions about the pension, Saraki noted that he had stopped it when allegations were made about it.
He 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.”
When asked about other lawmakers still collecting pensions and salaries, Saraki distanced himself from it as he said it was an individual decision but declared that it was wrong morally to be receiving pension when one is currently on another job.
He however advised States to amend the Laws so as to stop paying pensions to any former official that gets new appointment.
“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.”
