Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, took a significant step on Thursday night by signing into law a bill that abolishes the payment of pensions to former Governors and their Deputies.
The bill, known as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions (Repeal) Law, 2024,” was swiftly passed by the Abia State House of Assembly before receiving the Governor’s assent.
The legislation, sponsored by the Leader of the House, Uchenna Kalu, reflects a decisive move towards fiscal responsibility and accountability in governance.
Governor Otti, speaking at the signing ceremony, emphasized the primacy of serving the interests of the people over self-interest.
In his remarks, Governor Otti commended the Abia State House of Assembly for its prompt consideration and passage of the bill, underscoring his administration’s commitment to changing the status quo and prioritizing the welfare of the masses.
He articulated his administration’s stance on the issue, stating, “Even before this new law came into place, a lot of people who have followed our views in the national discuss understand that we were not going to continue the practice of paying pensions and allowances to this set of former government officials.”
With the enactment of this law, former governors such as Okezie Ikpeazu, Theodore Orji, and Orji Uzor Kalu, along with their deputies, will no longer be entitled to pensions and other associated benefits.
