Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has taken a bold step by scrapping a law that allowed former governors and their deputies to receive hefty pensions. This move has sparked a national conversation and earned him praise from a surprising source – former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Obasanjo Calls Out “Daylight Robbery”
In a no-holds-barred statement, Obasanjo slammed the previous pension scheme as “daylight robbery.” He criticized the system that allowed ex-leaders to enjoy lavish lifestyles while ordinary citizens struggled to get their rightful pensions. Obasanjo commended Otti for ending this “rascality” and urged other governors to follow suit.
“The pension scheme for former governor here is atrocious, it’s like daylight robbery because it allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere and cart away with whatever they feel like carting away yet the pension for ordinary people is unpaid, what sort of leadership is that
And you came and you said there will be an end to that rascality. I congratulate you and I say to you that I hope that some of your colleagues will follow in your footsteps. You have started but you should never be tired.”
Governor Otti Vows to Focus on People
Governor Otti responded with gratitude for Obasanjo’s support. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly ensuring a reliable power supply. He stressed that strong leadership should be about serving the people, not draining their resources.
A Controversial but Popular Move
This move by Governor Otti is sure to ruffle feathers among some politicians who benefit from such pension plans. However, many Nigerians are likely to applaud this decision. The high cost of governance and the neglect of basic needs like pensions for ordinary citizens are major points of contention. Otti’s action sends a message that he prioritizes the well-being of his people over enriching a select few.
A Call to Action for Other Leaders
Obasanjo’s endorsement adds further weight to the issue. His words serve as a challenge to other governors to re-evaluate their spending and focus on improving the lives of their citizens. Whether this will lead to a domino effect of pension reforms remains to be seen, but Otti has certainly ignited a firestorm of debate.
