Akpabio Wants N200m Salary & Mansion After Leaving Governor's Office

The level of greed being exhibited by some politicians in Nigeria is simply crazy! Barely one year to his exit from office, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has initiated a law to enable him pocket a whooping N200 million in annual pay after his tenure expires. Mr. Akpabio is also demanding other benefits including a new house, brand new cars, furniture and luxurious living for the rest of his life. The proposed law, which is receiving accelerated hearing from the rubber stamp state House of Assembly, was received by Acting Clerk of the assembly, Mandu Umoren, on May 19. When passed into law, Akpabio will pocket several millions in monthly retirement perks. Although similar laws have been passed by many Nigerian governors including those of Lagos, Rivers, Bauchi and Benue states, among others, Mr. Akpabio’s version is clearly the most ludicrous... Based on Section 1(1) of the bill, “An indigene of the state who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of former Cross River State and a person who has held office as a democratically elected governor or deputy governor of the state shall when he ceases to hold office be entitled,” to the new perks. The controversial law, which was obtained by Premium Times, is known as Akwa Ibom State Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Bill 2014. If passed by the assembly, the bill would repeal the Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Law, 2006. This simply means that a law to this effect is already existing, but Akpabio want much more . To underscore the urgency of the proposed law, the Governor has indicated that he wanted it passed hurriedly so it could come into force on June 1. Under the proposed law, Mr. Akpabio and others listed in Section 1(1) are entitled to a monthly pension for life at the rate equivalent to his current salary. Similarly, the serving deputy governor, Valerie Ebe, is entitled to a monthly pension for life at the rate of her current salary. Akpabio and his deputy; Mrs. Ebe will therefore pocket a total of N2,223,705. 00; and N2,112,215,00 as their monthly pay and a total of N26,684, 460,00 and N25,346,580 respectively as pension, per annum. The governor is also entitled to a new official car and a utility vehicle once every four years, one personal aide and the provision of security for his person during his lifetime at the expense of the state government. Akwa Ibom taxpayers are also expected to provide an amount of about N5 million or an equivalent of $50,000.00 monthly for Akpabio to engage the services of a cook, chauffeurs and security guards. This provision is in contrast with Section 1(b) of the bill, which indicates that security shall be provided to former governors during their lifetime at the expense of the government. However, the deputy governor is entitled to N2million naira or an equivalent of $20,000.00 monthly allowance to hire cooks, chauffeurs and security guards. Mr. Akpabio and his spouse are to also access free medical services at a sum of about N100million, while the deputy and her spouse will pocket N30million annually. SEE MORE: “Provision of a befitting house not below a 5-bedroom maisonette in either the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja or Akwa Ibom State for the Governor and a yearly accommodation allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; (300 percent of the deputy governor’s basic salary is N6, 336,645). “Provision of furniture allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary once in every four years; (A total of N6, 671,115 for the governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy) “Provision of yearly maintenance and fueling of vehicle allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary; (A total of N6, 671,115 for the governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy) “Provision of severance gratuity allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary as at the time the officer leaves office; (Another N6, 671,115 for the governor and N6, 336,645 for the deputy) “Provision of yearly utility allowance of 100 percent of annual salary; (with the governor taking N2, 223,705 while his deputy takes N2, 112, 215) “And provision of entertainment allowance of 100 percent of annual basic salary; (Another N2, 223,705 for the governor and N2, 112, 215 for the deputy).”