Former Gombe Gov Dankwambo Asks State Government To Stop Paying His Pension
Former Gombe State Governor and current Senator representing the Gombe North Senatorial District, Ibrahim Dankwambo, has taken a bold step by requesting the Gombe State government to halt the payment of his pension and allowance.
Dankwambo, who served as the governor of Gombe State for two terms, from 2011 to 2019, penned an official letter to the state government in October.
In his letter, he explicitly stated,
“I write to request the suspension of my monthly pension/allowance of N694,557.82 being paid to me as former governor of Gombe State.”
This move by Dankwambo follows a precedent set by another former governor, Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, and the current senator representing Ogun East.
Daniel, in a letter dated June 14, 2023, addressed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, similarly sought the suspension of his monthly pension.
The issue of hefty payouts to former governors turned senators has been highlighted, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and thirteen other ex-governors, now senators, reportedly enjoying over N5.6 billion in pension benefits.
A comprehensive report by The Guardian unveiled the notable beneficiaries, including Adams Oshiomhole from Edo, Dave Umahi from Ebonyi, Aminu Tambuwal from Sokoto, Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara, Aliyu Wammako from Sokoto, Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia, Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa, Adamu Aliero from Kebbi, Ibrahim Gaidam from Yobe, Danjuma Goje from Gombe, and Abubakar Sani Bello from Niger, apart from Akpabio and Dankwambo.
This decision by Dankwambo to relinquish his pension benefits stands as a significant move and sends a powerful message amidst the ongoing public debate on the justification of such substantial payouts to former public officeholders.
The growing discourse around the remuneration of ex-governors who transition into roles within the Senate has sparked national attention and debate.
The discussion often revolves around the ethics and morality of former governors who are already receiving substantial pensions, assuming new roles within the Senate, and consequently drawing double pay from the public purse.
The current landscape indicates an increasing number of ex-governors elected into the Senate, maintaining their pensions while concurrently drawing salaries and allowances as senators, sparking debates on fiscal responsibility and ethical considerations in public service.
This discourse raises pertinent questions about the allocation of public funds, the need for legislative reforms, and ethical standards within the realm of governance.
It also challenges the political elite to reconsider the appropriateness of the existing system of remuneration for former public officeholders, particularly in the context of the economic challenges faced by the nation.
As this issue continues to captivate public attention and stimulate discussions across various platforms, it remains to be seen whether more former governors will follow in Dankwambo’s footsteps, signalling a significant shift in the prevailing culture surrounding the entitlements of ex-governors, especially as they transition into roles in the legislative arm of government.
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