Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, took a decisive step on Thursday by signing into law a bill that abolishes the payment of pensions to former Governors and their Deputies.
NN News Media reported that the move, aimed at prioritizing the interests of the people over self-interest, was initiated through Bill H.A.B 11, successfully passed by the Abia State House of Assembly.
Sponsored by Uchenna Kalu, the Leader of the House representing Arochukwu state constituency, the bill revokes the Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and addresses pertinent matters surrounding it.
Governor Otti, speaking at the signing ceremony, emphasized the importance of governance serving the populace rather than individual interests.
He commended the House of Assembly for its swift consideration of the bill, affirming his commitment to reshaping the state’s trajectory in favor of the masses.
Otti reiterated his stance on discontinuing the practice of providing pensions and allowances to former government officials, a position he held even before the enactment of the new law.
With this development, former governors such as Okezie Ikpeazu, Theodore Orji, and Orji Uzor Kalu, along with their deputies, will no longer receive pensions and other associated entitlements, reflecting a significant shift in Abia State’s governance landscape.
