Gbenga Daniels asks Dapo Abiodun to stop paying him ex-governors generous pension package

FORMER Ogun State governor Senator Gbenga Daniel has asked the incumbent Dapo Abiodun to stop paying him a monthly pension under the current extravagant arrangement that provides for a handsome retirement packages for past chiefs executives.

Senator Daniel, who served as governor between 2003 and 2011, is not only a millionaire but is also currently the lawmaker representing Ogun East senatorial District. In Ogun State, past governors are entitled to very generous retirement packages, which include a pension, as well as hefty medical, furniture and transportation allowances.

In a letter titled Request To Suspend My Monthly Pension and Allowances, Senator Daniel asked that the N676,376.95 pension/allowances he is entitled to as a former governor be suspended. He added that the suspension of the pension was in compliance with his conscience, moral principles and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving senator shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such a state.

According to Senator Daniels, he has not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it medical, furniture, transportation and others since he left office in 2011. He now asked that all payments be stopped from henceforth.

Senator Daniels said: “I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 being paid as a former executive governor of Ogun State. This request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former state governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.

“It would be recalled that on Tuesday 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected senators and members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly. It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages be it Medical, Furniture, transportation etc.