Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is irked by a bill proposed by Governor Samuel Ortom to the House of Assembly for a princely retirement package to governors.
In a statement in Makurdi, yesterday, the Benue APC Director of Communications, Tersoo Kula, wondered why Ortom, whom he accused of treating pensioners shabbily, would turn around to propose a juicy pension for himself.
It was learnt that the bill proposes that a house of his taste be built for the governor in any part of the country he chooses to stay after leaving Government House; his medical expenses and those of his family members to be footed by the state, in addition to a jumbo monthly pay package.
The House of Assembly member representing Katsina-Ala East told The Guardian reporter that the bill proposing the governor’s retirement package had been submitted to the house, but yet to be deliberated upon.
Meanwhile, in its statement, the APC called on all citizens of conscience to intervene by restraining their representatives in the House of Assembly from initiating any action that would facilitate passage of the bill “in order not to deepen the despondency of the state.”
Efforts to reach the governor through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nathaniel Ikyur, to confirm the story proved abortive.
(The Guardian)
