Right Groups Urge Other Ex-Governors To Adopt Daniel’s Stance On Rejection Of Pension & Allowance

Members of the Human Rights communities have commended former governor of Ogun State and current Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel on his latest decision for rejecting further payment of his pension and allowances as former governor.

The former governor was reported on Thursday July 6th, to have rejected the payment of his Monthly pension and allowance in a letter addressed to the incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

Among other groups that expressed open commendation of the bold step by the Senator include Women Liberation Focus (WLF); Nigeria Youth Future Protection Team (NYFPT) and the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) among others.

According to the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, the decision by Otunba Gbenga Daniel to reject further payment of the pension and allowance upon his inauguration at the legislator at the National Assembly is a good step in the right direction.

HURMA referred to the letter addressed to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and titled: “Request to Suspend My Monthly Pension and Allowances”

The letter which partly reads: “I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of N676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy -Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State” is seen by HURMA among others as a demonstration of good faith. The rights groups believe the action of former governor Gbenga Daniel will challenge other former governors in the Senate to the right and proper thing.

The decision by former governor Daniel to reject further payment of pension / allowance by Ogun State Government is further applauded as a sensitive action to the mood of the masses. HURMA Executive Director, Comrade Buna Isiak therefore called on other governors at the Senate including those to be appointed as Minister to toe the line of former governor Daniel.

According to HURMA, former governor Daniel has shown the light, other former governor at the senate should follow suit and do the right thing.

HURMA drew attention to suit (number FHC/L/CS/1497/17) filed by SERAP at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos demanding that ex-governors should stop receiving double-pay while serving as ministers and senators.

HURMA further noted that there are currently no fewer than 10 former governors currently serving as senators while there are feelers that some former governors would be appointed Minister by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Other former governors currently at the Senate apart from Senator Gbenga Daniel include former governors Adams Oshiomhole, Ibrahim Hassan Dakwambo, Adamu Aleiro amongst others. HURMA urged those affected to follow in the footsteps of Senator Gbenga Daniel.