Minister of Transportation, who is a former governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has reacted to the court order demanding the Federal Government to retrieve pensions given to former governors who later became ministers or members of the National Assembly.
Amaechi on Thursday via his official Twitter handle said that he has never requested nor collected pension from Rivers State as a former governor of the state.
Quoting a tweet on ex-governors (who had served or are serving as ministers, senators) Amaechi added that even if offered pension, he would have declined.
He tweeted, “I have never requested for or collected one kobo as pension from River State Govt. If offered, I will politely decline and request that the money should be given to Rivers State pensioners. I do not believe that I should receive pension as ex-gov of River State while serving as a minister.”
Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday decried the situation where “former governors, who are now senators and ministers, enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.”
The court ordered the Attorney General of the Federation to take immediate legal action towards the abolishment of state laws permitting such pension arrangement.
See Amaechi’s tweet:
