REVEALED: Pensions of Nigerian ex-governors (2)

Just how much do former governors and their deputies regularly take out of the treasury long after they’ve left office? Nigerians are just waking up to this reality. Much of the focus has been on what they spend in office, not thereafter. The first part of this special report focused on pensions for ex-governors and ex-deputy governors in Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers. In this second part, TheCable dissects the provisions in two more states: Kwara and Kano.

Kwara: 3 new cars every 3 years

Kwara’s Governor and Deputy Governor (Payment of Pension Law) 2011 copies largely from that of Lagos, but its provisions are juicier in certain aspects. For instance, it provides for “well-furnished” duplex for the former governor, whereas Lagos simply said “residential house” (they probably mean the same thing, anyway). Kwara specifies the qualifications of personal staff: two officers not below the rank of chief administrative officer and two personal secretaries not below the rank of grade level 10 “who shall be selected by the former governor and paid by the government”. The law was signed by Dr. Bukola Saraki (pictured) in 2011.

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy

Accommodation: “Well-furnished” 5-bedroom duplex for governor; “well-furnished” 4-bedroom for deputy.

Transport: Two cars and one pilot car every three years for ex-governor; one car and one pilot car every three years for the deputy.

Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years.

House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary.

Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable.

Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses).

Security: Two SSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy.

PA: 25% of annual basic salary.

Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.

Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.

Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.

Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).

Severance gratuity: Not specified.

Kano: 30-day paid vacation

The Pension Rights of Governor and Deputy Governor Law 2007 was signed by Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who was the governor of the state from 2003 to 2011. It is remarkable in the sense that the gazette has two different schedules ─ one for the former governor and the other for the deputy. It provides for the former governor’s personal staff ─ one, an officer not below the rank of a Principal administrative officer and, two, a PA not below grade level 10 “who shall be recommended by the former governor and paid by the state government”. There is a provision for 30 days vacation within and outside Nigeria, meaning allowances will be paid by the government!

THE BENEFITS

Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy

Accommodation: There shall be a “furnished and equipped office” in any location of the choice of the former governor within the state, as well as a 6-bedroom house; “well-furnished” 4-bedroom for deputy, plus an office.

Transport: Two cars every four years for ex-governor; one new car every four years for the deputy.

Furniture: No special provision.

House maintenance: No special provision.

Domestic staff: No special provision.

Medical: Free treatment for the former governor and his immediate “families” (could be up to four wives and countless children) within and outside Nigeria “where necessary”; ditto for deputy.

Security: No special provision

PA: One for each, paid by the state.

Car maintenance: No special provision.

Entertainment: No special provision.

Utility: Payment of all utility bills (water and electricity) for both.

Drivers: Two drivers “to be recommended by the former governor and paid by the state government”. One driver for the deputy.

Severance gratuity: Not specified.