21 States Spend N37.4billion On Pension For 47 Ex-Governors

Former governors are exerting pressure on the finances of state governments with pension payments and other entitlements draining billions of naira every year from developmental funds for the states. Over N37.367 billion was, according to Vanguard findings, expended on servicing 47 former governors from 21 states in pension payments and provision of houses, staff, and vehicles replaceable between three and four years.
Bauchi tops pension payouts to ex-govs Payment of pension to former governors over a four-year cycle are highest in Bauchi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos states with former governors drawing N23.18 billion, N2.795 billion, N2.043 billion and N1.606 billion respectively over four years.

Former governors of Bauchi State are paid the sum of N1.201,634.28 billion per annum, while former deputy governors, according to Vanguard findings, earn N1,131,345.96 billion per annum. The amount is apparently based on the monetized benefits that include personnel, vehicles, houses and other allowances.

The payments are in many cases besides provisions for medical expenses for the former chief executives which run into hundreds of millions per ex-chief executive.

The pension payments and other entitlements drawn by the governors are irrespective of the prescription of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC providing 300 percent severance for the governors as stated in the Certain Political Office Holders and Judicial Officers Remuneration Act.