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Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 06:47:41 EST
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Subject: [wa-afr] Nigeria Senate Rejects Double Pension for Ex-military
Leaders
Senate Rejects Double Pension for Ex-military Leaders
In a move partly aimed at discouraging unconstitutional change of
governments, Nigeria's upper legislative chamber has voted to strip former
military Heads of State of civil service remuneration.
The Senate's decision came after a debate following the submission of the
report of its Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters Thursday.
The report followed a bill, presented by President Olusegun Obasanjo
September 2000, to the National Assembly for an Act to prescribe the
salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for some senior government officials.
The Committee report had recommended the exclusion of the former military
rulers from the package.
Based on the debate, the upper House's reasoning is that since the former
leaders shot their way to power, in violation of the Nigerian Constitution,
they should not be rewarded for an illegal act.
Also, the Senate felt that since the former military Heads of State are
already receiving their military pensions, it would be wrong for them to draw
another benefit from the public treasury.
Obasanjo recently sent a letter to the Senate asking the lawmakers to
expedite action on the bill, whose delay is also affecting the payment of his
salary, 20 months after assuming office.
The decision to vote on the recommendation of the Committee was made after
the Senators failed to agree on it.
Some members, including David Mark and Tunde Ogbeha, both retired Army
Brigadier-Generals, argued that since the past military leaders were already
part of Nigeria's history, they should be allowed to continue benefiting as
former Heads of State.
However, the opposition, led by Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, felt the former
military rulers should not benefit from breaching the Constitution by
forcefully taking power.
Supporting the recommendation, Senator Isa Mohammed said rather than paying
the past leaders, "We should be discussing how to bring them to book for
their unconstitutional acts."
To be affected by the decision are Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from
1966 to 1975, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (1984-1985), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
(1985-1993) and the immediate past Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar
(1998-1999).
PanAfrican News Agency * February 16, 2001 * Lagos / NIGERIA
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