Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has encouraged state governors who pay retirement funds to previous governors to follow the example of Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, and cease the payments.
He criticized the payment of retirement funds to former state governors and their deputies as excessive.
Obasanjo also criticized the retirement funds as “a clear act of theft.
The former president made these remarks on Friday while visiting Otti at his home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
He explained, “I saw the news about the abolition of Abia pensions and I asked you about it. You mentioned that the pension program for former governors here was excessive.
“This has caused trouble as it enabled them to own homes in Abuja and elsewhere, and to take away whatever they can, while the pensions of regular people from 2014 remain unpaid.
“What type of leadership is this? You came and said you would put an end to that dishonesty. I commend you, and I hope that your colleagues will follow your lead.”
In praising Otti for his bravery in repealing the law, Obasanjo expressed hope that other governors would do the same.
He added, “Congratulations for your determination, perseverance, and for what you accomplished yesterday (revoking the pension law for former Governors and Deputy Governors) and for what I observed you doing this morning (exercising).
“This morning, I came in, and saw you exercising, a strong mind and body, and I understand your secret. I was pleased to hear that you do that every other day. It’s similar to me playing squash on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as I believe a leader must maintain good health.
“There is still much work to be done, I mentioned to you, and you have already started, but you should never give up. Don’t be disheartened; you will face criticism, you will be insulted, but if one-third of our states do the right thing, this country will change.
Obasanjo advised Otti to focus on developing the state's infrastructure, stating that with infrastructure and strong leadership, the state will achieve great success.
He remarked that Abia and the South East people are hardworking and resourceful, and emphasized the need for good leadership that will motivate and support them to achieve greatness.
“I encourage you to prioritize infrastructure because if you provide infrastructure and the type of leadership you are providing, the people of the state will have nothing to worry about. They are enterprising on their own. They just need supportive leadership.
“I have consistently said that the South East geo-political zone is capable of significant regional development, as it is almost singular in everything,” the former President added.
When the former president visited, Otti assured him that his government was fully focused on developing infrastructure in Aba, which is essential for the state.
He talked about his state's infrastructure progress and thanked the former president for backing his government's choice to cancel the law that allowed former governors and deputy governors to get pensions.
However, he emphasized that the expense of running the government is a big issue for every state and the Federal Government.
He completely agreed with the former president's remark about infrastructure, stressing their concentrated effort on developing infrastructure, especially for Aba, which is the commercial and industrial hub of the state and the South East as a whole.
He expressed gratitude for the support in repealing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. He believes leadership is about serving the people, not taking advantage of them.
The PUNCH reported about the Abia State House of Assembly. repealed the Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law number 4 of 2021.
The abolished law included provisions for security, medicals, cooks, and stewards for the former governors.
The bill called “H.A.B 11, The Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law Repeal Bill 2024” was put forward by Mr. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, the Majority Leader and member for Arochukwu State Constituency.
