By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi 

The Benue State House of Assembly has, in frowning at the law which for the maintenance of past governors and their deputies, resolved to repeal it, describing the law as “exorbitant, unnecessary, and anti-masses” in its entirety.

The House in a plenary took the decision after the committee on Appointments, Public service and Pension matters had meritoriously considered the law and its impact on the Benue people and presented its findings to the House.

According to the Committee, “the immediate past governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom had initiated the bill to provide for life pension for all former governors and their deputies at the evening of his administration”.

The infamous bill which was hastily passed by the nineth Assembly on the 25th May, 2023, has provisions for the payment of 40 million naira in four months to ex-governors in addition to two SUV cars as well as six stewards. The ex-deputy governors were by the law, entitled to 25 million naira as stipends to be paid also in four months, one SUV car and three stewards.

The Chairman, House Committee on Appointments, Public service and Pension matters, Hon. Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency, in presenting the committee’s findings to the House maintained that, “the law is exorbitant, and the State cannot fund it from the available lean resources, and thus, cannot guarantee its implementation”.

Other members who spoke in support of the motion to repeal the law including Hon. Samuel Agada, representing Ogbadibo state Constituency, Hon. Cephas Ashwa, Konshisha State Constituency, and Hon. Berger Alfred, Makurdi North State Constituency, expressed joy over the findings of the committee, describing the law as “insensitive, unnecessary, and anti-masses”.