- Clark called out the duo in his recently launched autobiography, Brutally Frank
- He disclosed that Tinubu introduced the Life Pension Law in Lagos
A Former federal commissioner of information in the first republic, chief Edwin Clark, has accused President Bola Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio of introducing what he described as two irresponsible laws when they were Governors of Lagos and Akwa Ibom respectively.
He disclosed that the Life Pension Law was introduced by Tinubu, while the Former Governor and Deputy Governor’s Pension Bill 2014 was introduced by Akpabio.
Clark called out the duo in his recently launched autobiography, Brutally Frank.
Recall that the book which has twenty-five chapters was unveiled at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja last Thursday.
In Chapter 23, titled, Kleptocracy in our society from Pages 539 to 542, Clark took took a swipe at the Governors, saying that they were nowhere yesterday and have now become so rich and powerful overnight because they were elected as Governors
The Niger Delta leader said “A new twist to corruption is the unnecessary laws which governors get their stooges in the State Houses of Assembly to make so as to give them (the governors) life pension. I consider this the height of their recklessness. What they get in terms of benefits in just four years is more than what any ‘faithful’ civil or public servant can get in 30 or 35 years of active service.
“Two examples of such irresponsible laws are: The Life Pension Law introduced by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and The Former Governor and Deputy Governor’s Pension Bill 2014 introduced by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
“It will be recalled that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who was Governor of Lagos State for eight years was the first Governor to introduce this obnoxious pension law prior to leaving office, despite all he had acquired in his eight years as the unchallenged Governor of Lagos State.
It will be necessary to reproduce the full text of the law, which gave Tinubu, free houses in Lagos and Abuja. In fact, his house on Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi is indeed a good example.
“One would have expected that former Governor Fashola, a more refined and educated person and a lawyer would have abrogated such a law, but it seems he too benefited from it hook, line and sinker. Therefore, it would be asking for too much from Governor Ambode who took over from Fashola to abrogate the law.
“Credit should go to the present Governor, Babajide Sanwolu, and all Nigerians must applaud him, because no one expected him to adopt the radical position he took in abrogating the obnoxious law. He was truly selfless and courageous taking that decision because he would have benefitted from it too in the long run.
“The Life Pension Law gave a former Governor 100% of his basic salary as life pension, in addition to two houses, one in Lagos and one in Abuja. The Governor should have completed two terms in office. He is entitled to six brand new cars every three years and domestic servants. 300% of annual basic salary as furniture allowance, 100% of annual basic salary as house maintenance allowance, 20% of annual basic salary as car maintenance allowance. This includes entertainment allowance and free health care for the former Governor and family. He is also entitled to eight policemen, two Department of Stale Security (DSS) operatives and a personal assistant for life.
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