Enugu State response to Outcry about Gov Life Pension Bill

Enugu State government has responded to outcry about the governors and their deputies Life Pension Bill. Below is the full statement from Enugu State government.

The Enugu State Gubernatorial Pensions (Amendment) Bill and the Social Media Outcry

The attention of the Enugu State House of Assembly has been drawn to the news making round in the social media regarding the Gubernatorial Pension Bill pending before the House.

Section 124(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended empowers the State Houses of Assembly to make laws for the grant of pension or gratuity to or in respect of a person who had held office as Governor or Deputy Governor.

The said Section 124(5) provides as follows;

Provisions may be made by a Law of a House of Assembly for the grant of a pension or gratuity to or in respect of a person who had held office as Governor or Deputy Governor and was not removed from office as a result of impeachment; and any provision made in pursuance of this subsection shall be a charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State”.

From the above provisions of the Constitution, the Enugu State House of Assembly is basically carrying out its constitutional responsibility in accordance with the express provisions of the Constitution. The Enugu State Gubernatorial Pension Law 2007 is an existing law. The House has not acted outside the purview of its constitutions mandate by introducing a Bill to amend an existing Law.

For the purposes of clarity and information for those who may not know the Enugu State Gubernatorial Pension Law was first enacted in 2007 and subsequently amended in 2017.

Furthermore, there are laid down rules and procedures to be followed before a Bill is passed into law. The first stage is to introduce the Bill to the House, i.e First Reading (that was what the House just did in the instant case), the second stage is the Second Reading when the Honourable Members of the House will discuss the general principles; make their contributions for or against the Bill. Thereafter, the public would be invited for Public Hearing to enable them air their air their views as to the desirability or otherwise of the Bill to be passed into Law. The outcomes of the Public Hearing will then guide and inform the decision of the House regarding the Bill.

The Bill was introduced on Thursday 11th March 2021 (NOT TUESDAY 11th MARCH 2021) as being circulated in the social media. This tells a lot about other misinformation concerning the pending Bill being deliberately circulated to portray the Enugu State House of Assembly in bad light before the public. It is also amazing that such pending Bill is being treated as though it has already being passed into law.

Enugu State House of Assembly remains committed to the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour. The House is also sensitive to the feelings of our people and therefore appreciates the feedback and reactions from our constituents and the public. This is the beauty of democracy and as the people’s representatives, we will not disappoint our people.

Enugu State House of Assembly therefore assures our people that the House will follow due procedure and do the needful during the next plenary.

Accept as always the warm regards of the Honourable House.

Rt Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu
Leader, Enugu State House of Assembly.

Also Read

While Some States are Stopping Life Pension for Gov & co. Enugu is Starting

Group issues Ultimatum to Enugu to stop new Life Pension bill for Gov & co

Enugu State response to Outcry about Gov Life Pension Bill

Enugu Assembly drops Life Pension Bill for Ex-Governors

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