On May 29, 2023, no fewer than 17 state governors from around the federation would take over power.
Regardless of the economic difficulties hitting most states, most of these governors are expected to retire in luxury next month, according to news reports.
The outgoing governors, the majority of whom will complete two terms of eight years in office on May 28, would be entitled to large monetary pensions guaranteed by laws, it was learned.
Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and David Umahi are among the 17 who will leave office (Ebonyi).
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Others are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).
According to The Punch, in Rivers State, Wike and his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, would be retiring to three new vehicles that would be changed every three years.
Furthermore, they would be paid 100% of their basic wages, 300% of their annual basic salary for furniture, free medical services, and entertainment allowances, with their deputies also receiving certain benefits.
Wike would also benefit two properties in any region of Rivers State or Abuja of their choice.
All of these benefits are supported by the Rivers State Pensions for Governor and Vice Governor Law, 2012, which was enacted by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s government.
In Delta, Okowa, as gathered, is entitled to a furnished duplex in Delta State or any other state in the country; medical treatment for him and members of his immediate family; two vehicles, including a utility vehicle, every two years; two armed policemen and one Department of State Security officer; 15 days’ annual vacation in any location of his choice; and other benefits, and his deputy is entitled to similar perks.
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Former governor James Ibori, who ruled the state from 1999 to 2007, signed the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Bill, 2005 into law.
The Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Bill, enacted in 2009, changed the law.
The bill is believed to provide for ex-governors to receive allowances and other benefits worth N50 million per year.
Similarly, upon handover on May 29, 2023, Ganduje and his deputy are believed to be entitled to a residence and free medical treatment for themselves and members of their families in Kano State.
The statute governing former governors’ and deputy governors’ pension entitlements further specifies that they would be given well-equipped offices.
According to the Jigawa State ‘Former Public Officers Pension and Other Benefits Law No. 15 of 2015,’ a governor who successfully completes his term without impeachment will be entitled to a monthly pension equal to the current governor’s salary, two brand new vehicles provided by the state government and replaced every four years, a six-bedroom fully furnished house, two personal assistants not below grade level 10, two drivers selected by the state government, and a six-bedroom fully furnished house.
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According to reports, Akwa Ibom pays an average of N267.78 million per year on ex-governors and their deputies, and Governor Emmanuel and his deputy are scheduled to get the same per the state’s Pension Act, 2014.
They are also entitled to a four-year replacement of official and utility vehicles.
In Zamfara, the ‘Grant of Pension to Governor or Deputy Governor (Amendment Law), 2006’ provided for previous governors to receive pensions and other benefits. It included a lifetime pension equal to the incumbent’s salary, two personal staff members, two vehicles that were replaced every four years, two drivers, and free medical care for past governors, their deputies, and their immediate family members in Nigeria or abroad.
It called for previous governors to receive N7 million per month and former deputy governors to receive N2 million per month, but former governor Abdul-aziz Yari revised it to N10 million and N5 million monthly, respectively.
Nevertheless, on November 26, 2019, the state House of Assembly rescinded the statute.
In Sokoto, Tambuwal is expected to inherit the Sokoto State Pension Law, which provides for N200 million every four years for former governors, while his deputy is entitled to N180 million in perks, which include monetisation for other entitlements such as domestic aides, residences, and vehicles, which can be renewed every four years.
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Section 2 (2) of the Sokoto State Grant of Pension (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law, 2013 states, “The total annual pension to be paid to the governor and deputy governor shall be at a rate equivalent to the annual total salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor of the state, respectively.”
In Abia governor Ikpeazu is entitled to 100 per cent of his salary and official vehicles worth N20m to be replaced every four years, a police orderly, two operatives of the Department of State Service, two policemen for the security of his house, as well as allowances for cooks, stewards, driver and gardener, while his deputy will enjoy similar benefits.
The law also made provisions for medical attention for the former governors and their deputies.
The Pension Law for former governors and deputy governors of the state also provides that former governors are entitled to “the sum of money as may from time to time be granted by the state government by way of pensions, allowances and privileges in accordance with this law.”
In Niger Governor Abubakar Sani Bello will vacate the Government House in Minna to the Senate to represent the Niger North Senatorial District and will be a beneficiary of a pension scheme introduced by the Abdulkadir Kure administration, which provides for the payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors and the provision of two drivers on GL 07, two personal assistants on Grade Level 08, security aides and an SUV renewable every year. He will also get a mansion in a location of his choice.
In Katsina governor, Masari will complete his second term on May 28. He served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming the governor.
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The Katsina State Pension Law, 2011 as amended provides pensions for all former governors of the state, including those who served in the old Kaduna State from which Katsina was carved out.
The governor, just like his predecessors, is to enjoy free houses and medical services under the law as well as pension benefits of N2.22m monthly, vehicles and personal aides.
The Ebonyi State Political Office Holders Amendment Law, 2011 makes provision for the payment of pension to Governor Umahi, who is set to move to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. The law also made provisions for vehicles and personal aides, among others, for the governor and his deputy.
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