TheCable

The government of Kwara says the state governor’s pension law has not been repealed.

On Friday, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, press officer on local matters to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, had dismissed the plan of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the incumbent governor, to abolish the pension package of former governors and deputy governors of the state.

Abdulqadir, who asked the governor not to play “cheap politics” said the pension law was repealed under Abdulfatah Ahmed, immediate past governor of the state.

But responding on Saturday, Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the governor, said what was done by the state in 2018 was a “slight amendment” of the law.

“What was done in 2018 was a slight amendment to the law. The amendment was a child of necessity to suspend payment of pension only for former governors/deputy governors who are serving in any public office and getting paid for it,” he said in a statement.

“This was to disallow double payment from the treasury to the same individuals, as was the case in Kwara State when Dr. Bukola Saraki was in the Nigerian Senate and was at the same time taking humongous pension in the state.”

He added the state government will send a bill to house of assembly to repeal the governors’ pension law.