Politics
Five-star Retirement: Matawalle, Wike, Okowa, Umahi, Ganduje To Get Mouthwatering Perks (Details)
Five-star Retirement: Matawalle, Wike, Okowa, Umahi, Ganduje To Get Mouthwatering Perks (Details)
Five-Star Retirement– Seventeen state governors will hand over to their successors on May 29, 2023, and retire into lives of luxury with generous benefits for their services to their respective states even amidst economic crises, mounting debts, and unhappy and underpaid workers and pensioners.
Governors Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, Udom Emmanuel, Abdullahi Ganduje, Badaru Abubakar, Bello Matawalle, Ben Ayade, Okezie Ikpeazu and David Umahi of Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Cross River, Abia and Ebonyi states are set to benefit from generous retirement/pension benefits.
Others outgoing governors who will benefit from the largesse are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, Darius Ishaku, Abubakar Bello, Abubakar Bagudu, Nasir El-Rufai, Simon Lalong, Aminu Masari and Aminu Tambuwal of Enugu, Benue, Taraba, Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, and Sokoto states, respectively.
The outgoing governors, most of who will be completing two terms of eight years in office on May 28, will be entitled to generous monetary pensions, mansions to be built in locations of their choice, luxury vehicles, and domestic as well as security aides, among others, based on laws passed by their respective state houses of assembly.
Rivers
Wike and his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, will enjoy generous benefits after leaving office as provided in the Rivers State Pensions for Governor and Deputy Governor Law, 2012.
The law provides that three new vehicles should be purchased for former governors, and the vehicles are to be changed every four years. This is in addition to the payment of 100 percent of their basic salaries, 300 percent of their annual basic salary for furniture, free medical services, and provision for entertainment. Their deputies also enjoy certain perks.
The pension law for former governors and their deputies was enacted by the administration of former governor Rotimi Amaechi and made other provisions such as two choice houses in any area of their choice in Rivers State and Abuja and three cars replaceable every three years for the governor.
The law also provides that 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent of the annual salary of the incumbent governor should be earmarked for utility, accommodation maintenance, and entertainment, respectively. Wike will be entitled to all these except if he decides otherwise.
Delta
Okowa is entitled to a furnished duplex in Delta State or any other state in the country; medical treatment for him and members of his immediate family; two vehicles, including a utility vehicle, every two years; two armed policemen and one Department of State Security officer; 15 days’ annual vacation in any place of his choice and other benefits. The deputy governor is also entitled to similar perks.
The Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law, 2005 was signed into law by former governor James Ibori, who ruled the state between 1999 and 2007.
The law was later amended in 2009 as the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Law, 2009.
The law makes provision for ex-governors to be paid allowances and other benefits pegged at N50m yearly.
Such perks include one duplex in any city of their choice within Nigeria, one sport utility vehicle and a backup car replaceable every two years, an office with four aides, two security personnel and monthly salaries, among others. Each of the four domestic workers will earn N100,000 monthly.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom reportedly spends an average of N267.78m yearly on ex-governors and their deputies and Governor Emmanuel and his deputy are expected to enjoy the same as the state’s Pension Act, 2014 provides.
They are also entitled to the replacement of official and utility vehicles every four years.
A former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, drew the ire of Nigerians in 2014 when he allegedly sought to draw N100m as medical allowance as provided for in the law.
Kano
Governor Ganduje and his deputy are entitled to 100 percent of their basic salaries, a six-bedroom house, and free medical treatment for themselves and members of their families upon handover on May 29, 2023.
The law guiding pension rights for former governors and deputy governors also states that they will get well-equipped offices.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State ‘Former Public Officers Pension and Other Benefits Law No. 15 of 2015’ stipulate that a governor, who successfully completes his term without impeachment will be entitled to a monthly pension equivalent to the current salary of the current governor, two brand new vehicles to be provided by the state government and to be replaced after every four year, six-bedroom fully furnished house, two personal assistants not below grade level 10, two drivers selected by the governor and to be paid by the state, a fully furnished office in any location of choice and fully paid medical treatment within Nigeria and abroad.
The deputy governor is also to get a monthly pension equivalent to the incumbent’s salary, one assistant not below level eight, one brand new vehicle, a four-bedroom flat, and an office in a location of his choice.
Zamfara
Governor Bello Matawalle lost his re-election bid and will complete his four-year tenure on May 28, 2023.
The ‘Grant of Pension to Governor or Deputy Governor (Amendment Law), 2006’ made provisions for pension and other benefits to former governors. It provided a pension for life equivalent to the salary of the incumbent, two personal staff members, two vehicles replaceable every four years, two drivers, and free medical for former governors, their deputies, and their immediate family members in Nigeria or abroad.
It stipulated N7m monthly for former governors and N2m for former deputy governors, but former governor Abdul-Aziz Yari reviewed it to N10m and N5m monthly, respectively. However, the law was repealed by the state House of Assembly on November 26, 2019.
Sokoto
Governor Tambuwal is expected to inherit the Sokoto State Pension Law, which makes provision for N200m every four years for former governors, while his deputy is entitled to perks amounting to N180m, being monetization for other entitlements, including domestic aides, residences, and vehicles that can be renewed after every four years.
Section 2 (2) of the Sokoto State Grant of Pension (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law, 2013 states, “The total annual pension to be paid to the governor and deputy governor shall be at a rate equivalent to the annual total salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor of the state, respectively.”
Abia
Governor Ikpeazu is entitled to 100 percent of his salary and official vehicles worth N20m to be replaced every four years, a police orderly, two operatives of the Department of State Service, two policemen for the security of his house, as well as allowances for cooks, stewards, driver, and gardener, while his deputy will enjoy similar benefits.
The law also made provisions for medical attention for the former governors and their deputies.
The Pension Law for former governors and deputy governors of the state also provides that former governors are entitled to “the sum of money as may from time to time be granted by the state government by way of pensions, allowances, and privileges in accordance with this law.”
Niger
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello will vacate the Government House in Minna to the Senate to represent the Niger North Senatorial District and will be a beneficiary of a pension scheme introduced by the Abdulkadir Kure administration, which provides for the payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors and the provision of two drivers on GL 07, two personal assistants on Grade Level 08, security aides and an SUV renewable every year. He will also get a mansion in a location of his choice.
Katsina
Governor Masari will complete his second term on May 28. He served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming the governor.
The Katsina State Pension Law, 2011 as amended provides pensions for all former governors of the state, including those who served in the old Kaduna State from which Katsina was carved out.
The governor, just like his predecessors, is to enjoy free houses and medical services under the law as well as pension benefits of N2.22m monthly, vehicles, and personal aides.
Ebonyi
The Ebonyi State Political Office Holders Amendment Law, 2011 makes provision for the payment of pension to Governor Umahi, who is set to move to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. The law also made provisions for vehicles and personal aides, among others, for the governor and his deputy.
However, the pension laws for former governors and their deputies in Cross River, Enugu, Taraba, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Plateau states could not be obtained as of the time of going to press.
Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues
The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Lands Bureau to appear before it to provide clarity on previous allocations and recurring land-related issues. It also approved land compensation for communities where the state government acquired lands for public use.
At plenary last Thursday, the House adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Business on a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the petition of Ladaba Community” presented by Hon. Noheem Adams.
Following the presentation of the report, the House unanimously adopted the recommendations as its resolution by asking the bureau to appear before it with proper documents to explain the status of lands acquired by the state. The committee also recommended that the bureau issue excision/allocation letters to the 68 affected communities, while their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) should be ready within one month of the House’s resolution.
Members who lent their voices to the matter commended the committee for ensuring they got justice for the affected communities and suggested that their compensation should be increased from 20% to 25%.
In his summation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa acknowledged the need for increased compensation but noted that the state government has its plans. Particularly, he endorsed the allocation of 20% (2,000 hectares) of the 10,000 hectares acquired by the state government as compensation.
Speaker Obasa further recommended that the committee should collaborate with the Lands Bureau, Office of the State Surveyor General, and New Towns Development Authority for the effective implementation of the recommendations.
The Lagos State Lands Bureau is responsible for land administration and management. It oversees key activities such as land allocation, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), land registration, and the management of state-owned lands.
Its primary goals include ensuring equitable and transparent land transactions, facilitating urban planning, and supporting economic development by maintaining an organized system of land ownership. The bureau also handles disputes related to land and implements policies to optimize land use while protecting public interests.
Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan
Two women with two distinct destinies. One, Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, is a political luminary and steadfast advocate for the marginalized. The other is Aisha Achimugu, a trailblazing entrepreneur who conquered the male-dominated oil and gas sector, yet wears her heart on her sleeve for humanity.
Though their paths differ, their souls converge in two profound ways: an unyielding passion for women’s empowerment and a lifelong covenant with charity.
For Oluremi, empowering women and uplifting the vulnerable is not merely a mission—it’s her oxygen. From founding the New Era Foundation as Lagos’ First Lady to launching her Renewed Hope Initiative as Nigeria’s First Lady—a platform championing youth and girl-child education and spearheading transformative projects like the Community ICT Hub—she has turned biblical compassion into action. Her unalloyed commitment to charitable virtues shone brightly during the commissioning of the hub in Ibadan, a Federal Government collaboration under her RHI that bridges the digital divide for thousands, revealing a heart that beats for the forgotten.
In Aisha Achimugu, Oluremi unknowingly finds a kindred spirit. Aisha’s SAM Empowerment Foundation has illuminated the futures of countless Nigerian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training, transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities. Her compassion radiates beyond borders, driven by a pan-African vision to uplift communities wherever the need arises. Whether empowering women in Nigeria’s underserved regions or advocating for sustainable livelihoods across the continent, Aisha’s mantra—“When God has blessed you, be a blessing to others”— resounds in every act of service. From rebuilding lives shattered by poverty to fostering dignity through education, her golden heart has become a beacon of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable.
Yet, their journeys have not been without storms. Both women have endured savage media trials—unfairly judged, their reputations scrutinized. Society often forgets: behind the headlines are mothers, leaders, and humanitarians whose “crimes” are loving too fiercely and giving too generously. They are imperfect, as all humans are, but in their relentless generosity, they mirror the very best of what humanity can be.
To Oluremi and Aisha: Your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to your unbreakable spirits. When cynics question your motives, remember the girls now coding in Ibadan’s ICT Hub, the mothers reclaiming their futures through vocational training, and the orphans who see you as their lifeline. Do not relent. For every life you touch—whether through education, healthcare, or the quiet restoration of dignity—a ripple of hope spreads. Your legacies are not etched in headlines but in healed hearts and transformed destinies.
We see you. We celebrate you. And we beg you: keep shining.
UNFOLDING STORY: FAKE NANS PRESIDENT ATIKU ISAH EXPOSED…
SOURCES CONFIRM SEYI TINUBU WILL INITIATE CRIMINAL DEFAMATION PROCEEDINGS.
Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, has been falsely accused by a certain Atiku Abubakar Isah – a cleric associated with prominent political opposition figures, who fraudulently claimed to be the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), of leading armed men to disrupt a NANS inauguration event in Abuja and threatening his life.
Seyi Tinubu has categorically denied these allegations, labelling them as baseless and criminally defamatory. He stated, “Enough is enough with these fake stories and defamation of my character.”
Sources close to the event reported no evidence of Seyi Tinubu’s presence at the specific event venue or any prior interaction between the two men, and neither the hotel management nor law enforcement agencies confirmed any incident involving him. The hotel management has also clarified further, stating that there was no booking for a NANS event at their hotel.
Additionally, the legitimacy of Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah’s claim to the NANS presidency has been questioned by the incumbent and immediate past NANS leadership, with some groups labelling him an impostor and others providing evidence to debunk Atiku Isah’s claims of ever meeting Seyi Tinubu.
The Nigerian President’s son is expected to pursue criminal defamation proceedings in the coming days.
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