JUST IN: Benue Assembly Repeals Life Pension Law for Ex-Governors, Deputies

The Benue State House of Assembly has repealed the controversial life pension law for former governors and their deputies. The decision was reached during a plenary session on Monday, marking a significant reversal of the law passed by the previous assembly.

The 9th Assembly had enacted the law in May 2023, just days before their term ended. This law extended generous benefits to former governors and deputies dating back to 1999. However, the 10th Assembly, citing the law as anti-people and passed in bad faith, voted unanimously to repeal it.

Speaker of the House, Aondona Dajoh, confirmed the repeal of the “Bill for a law to repeal provision for the maintenance of former elected governors of the state and their deputies and for other matters connected thereto 2024.”

The initial bill, led by former Speaker Titus Uba and presented by the then House Committee on Business and Rules Chairman Hon. Geoffrey Agbatse, included provisions for lifelong pensions equivalent to the current salaries of serving governors and deputies, maintenance allowances, and various other benefits funded by the state’s consolidated revenue.

Specifically, the repealed law provided:

• Monthly stipends equivalent to the basic salary of serving governors and deputies.
• Maintenance allowances of ₦25,000,000 for former governors and ₦15,000,000 for former deputies every four years.
• Two official SUVs for former governors and one official car for former deputies.
• Personal staff, including assistants, drivers, cleaners, and cooks for both former governors and deputies.
• Security, yearly medical expenses, and replacement of vehicles every four years.