Why Wike, Oyetola, Umahi, others’ life pensions must be stopped – SERAP tells Tinubu

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2023

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the stoppage of further collection of life pensions and other allowances of former governors who are serving as ministers in his administration from the states while they serve as ministers.

SERAP, also urged the President to instruct the former governors to immediately return any pension and allowances that they may have collected since leaving office to the public treasury.

The affected former governors, who are now ministers in the Tinubu administration, include: Badaru Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, Bello Matawalle, Adegboyega Oyetola, David Umahi, Simon Lalong, Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Geidam.

In the letter to President Tinubu, dated August 19, 2023 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The appointment of former governors who collect life pensions while serving as ministers is implicitly forbidden by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended and the country’s international legal obligations.”

“You would be acting in the public interest by stopping former governors now serving as ministers in your government from collecting life pensions, especially given the current grave economic realities in the country.

“If the ministers that the president appoints are those who collect life pensions rather than serve the public interest, then that may show little about the conduct and integrity of the ministers, but speak volumes about the exercise of presidential power of appointment.

“Nigerians will judge you in part by the conduct, integrity and honesty of the ministers that you appoint to work in your government. Ultimately, the success of your government would depend on the conduct of the ministers that you appoint.

“While many pensioners are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office, and are poised to enjoy double emoluments on top of the opulence of political office holders.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Stopping the former governors from collecting double emoluments would be entirely consistent with the proper exercise of your constitutional power to appoint ministers.

“Stopping the former governors from collecting life pensions would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the common good and benefit of the socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians rather than to satisfy the opulent lifestyle of a few politicians.

“Instructing the former governors now serving as ministers in your government to stop collecting life pensions from their states would also improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of your government.

“The states currently implementing life pensions for former governors reportedly include: Jigawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Yobe, and Rivers. Many of these states owe workers’ salaries and remain the poorest in the country.

“Several of the pension laws in these states include provisions for six cars every three years, a house in Lagos worth N750 million, and another in Abuja worth N1 billion, unrestricted access to medical attention, and pensionable cooks, stewards, and gardeners.

“Other provisions 100 per cent annual salaries of the incumbent governor, security operatives and police officers permanently assigned to former governors.

“SERAP notes that in your inaugural speech as president you promised that your administration will be guided by ‘the principle of the rule of law, a shared sense of fairness and equity’, and that Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution.

“Life pensions for former governors serving as ministers are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.”

News

ITUC-Africa Cheers UN for Dropping Saudi, Russia

Published

20 mins ago

October 15, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has commended the exclusion of Saudi Arabia and Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

This decision, made through a vote at the UN General Assembly, marks a significant step forward for human rights, justice, and accountability, following persistent global efforts by civil society and human rights activists.

Saudi Arabia’s removal is particularly notable, given its longstanding violations of human and labour rights, especially towards African migrant workers.

These workers have faced numerous abuses under the oppressive kafala system, including forced labour, passport confiscation, withheld wages, denial of trade union rights, and excessively long working hours without fair compensation.

In addition to these labour violations, many African migrants in Saudi Arabia experience arbitrary detention, deportation, and even death in questionable circumstances.

Without access to justice, they remain vulnerable to systemic abuse.

ITUC-Africa has long condemned these practices, calling them blatant violations of fundamental human and workers’ rights.

“The decision to exclude Saudi Arabia from the UN Human Rights Council sends a strong message that nations involved in such severe violations cannot expect to hold positions of influence in global human rights institutions,” the union said.

The exclusion of Russia also emphasizes this point. ITUC-Africa highlighted Russia’s human rights abuses, including the repression of civil society, media control, and involvement in conflicts that lead to civilian casualties.

The targeting of trade unionists and human rights defenders in Russia adds to the severity of its actions, making the UN’s decision justified.

ITUC-Africa sees this outcome as a win for coordinated civil society efforts, including the global trade union movement.

“The exclusion of both Saudi Arabia and Russia from the UN Human Rights Council is a clear triumph for multilateralism, the rule of law, and those who tirelessly defend human and labour rights across the world,” the organisation noted.

Looking ahead, ITUC-Africa expressed its commitment to continue advocating for African migrant workers’ rights.

“We are resolutely committed to ensuring that Saudi Arabia reforms its labour laws and practices to provide genuine protection for all migrant workers, especially those from Africa,” the organisation stressed, reaffirming its dedication to protecting the dignity and rights of African workers globally.

ITUC-Africa also pledged to intensify its campaigns for labour reform in Saudi Arabia and beyond. “We will take our campaign to all spaces and processes at every level to ensure that the voices of African workers are heard and their rights are upheld,” it added.

The union concluded by emphasizing the growing reputational risks for countries that ignore human rights violations.

ITUC-Africa urged for continued global pressure on countries with poor human rights records to drive meaningful change and expressed solidarity with all human rights defenders and labour activists who fight for the dignity and rights of workers worldwide.

“We stand with all those who, through their efforts, bring us closer to a world where the rights of all workers are respected and upheld.”

ROAMAN NEWS

Business

NNPC Strikes Deal: Petrol Now N995/Litre for IPMAN

Published

27 mins ago

October 15, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reached an agreement to supply petrol to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at a price of N995 per litre.

This deal comes after mediation by the Department of State Services (DSS), which helped resolve the standoff between the two parties.

As part of the agreement, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is set to pay IPMAN an outstanding N10 billion.

The negotiations also cover issues around sourcing fuel from the Dangote Refinery.

Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of IPMAN, praised the DSS for its role in resolving the dispute, noting that the price difference in fuel— a major factor causing long queues at filling stations— is expected to narrow.

Currently, independent marketers are selling petrol for around N1,200 per litre, but with the new N995 per litre ex-depot price, retail prices may drop.

However, additional factors such as transportation costs could still influence final prices at the pump.

IPMAN is also negotiating with the Dangote Refinery to secure more direct purchasing options, while maintaining its relationship with NNPC to ensure favorable pricing for its members.

Previously, IPMAN raised concerns that NNPC was selling petrol bought from the Dangote Refinery at N898 per litre, but independent marketers were being charged up to N1,050 in certain areas.

Discussions are ongoing to resolve these price discrepancies, which have affected supply chains and put independent marketers at a disadvantage.

ROAMAN NEWS