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Lagos State Assembly Oppose The Discontinuation Of Pensions For Ex-Govs

The Lagos State House of Assembly has opposed a move to repeal the law that provides for payment of pensions to the state’s former political officers, including ex-governors and their deputies as efforts are made to reduce the cost of governance in the state.

While presenting the Lagos State 2021 budget proposal before the House of Assembly in November 2020, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had stated that part of the ways his administration seeks to generate more revenue to fund the budget was to cut the cost of governance.

He promised to send a bill to the house that will seek discontinuation of pensions and other benefits for ex-governors and other political office holders in the state.

The Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law) was signed by former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinibu in 2007 and it made huge provisions for former politicians. The array of benefits included captured by the law included 100 percent of the governor’s basic salary, a house in Lagos state and the FCT, six brand new automobiles (to be replaced every three years), several bogus allowances, a security entourage (paid by the state), among other things.

The bill titled “A bill for a law to repeal the law to provide for the payment of pensions and other fringe benefits to public office holders in Lagos State and for other connected matters” was debated on the floor of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, May 24, 2021.

Several lawmakers argued against the repeal with most of them calling for an amendment instead of a total scrap. Tobun Abiodun, representing Epe Constituency 1 argued that scrapping the law may encourage corruption while in office.

Lawmakers Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) and Oluyinka Ogundimu (Agege 2) said even though it is true that the state is battling to survive economically, the security of former political officers should be considered as repealing the law would mean withdrawing their security detail. They argued for an amendment of the law instead.

Others who supported an amendment include Abdulsobur Olawale (Mushin 2), Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu 2), Jude Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo 2), and Saad Olumo (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1). The bill was committed to the House Committee on Establishment to come up with a report based on their deliberations in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry has sacked a staff who disclosed his pay packet to the public. A Masters Degree holder from the Lagos State University, Mr. Toyemej Joseph Juwonlo who is a father of three was employed as a Drainage Supervisor (drainage cleaner) in Ikotun axis of the state and was to be paid N35,000 every month.

Upon his public disclosure of his salary, it was reported by P.M.EXPRESS that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, got wind of it and queried the Ministry officials in that regard. But instead of adjusting his paycheck, he was asked to stop working without paying him for the days he had already worked.

More on this to follow…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One Half Of The Estranged Duo P-Square Declares Nov 30 as his new birthday

Mr P has officially moved his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30, adding a new layer to the ongoing P-Square family feud. What began as a social media declaration has now been formalised. A few hours after announcing his intention to change his birthday date, Peter Okoye, known professionally as Mr P, has issued an open letter confirming that November 18, the date he has shared with his twin brother Paul Okoye since birth in 1981, is no longer his day of celebration.

“Dear Family, Friends, and Fans,” the post read. “I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day. My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The message is brief, but its implications are quite clear. November 18 has long been one of the last remaining public symbols of a shared identity between two brothers whose professional and personal relationship has deteriorated sharply over the past several years.

By formally reassigning the date, Peter is drawing a line that goes beyond creative differences or business disputes.

The reaction from Nigerians online has been largely sceptical.

Many have questioned the necessity of the gesture, with a significant number describing it as petty and unnecessary given the more substantive issues that have defined the brothers’ current estrangement.

The consensus among critics is that changing a birthday date does little to resolve any of the actual grievances and serves mainly as a public statement of severance.

The feud between Peter and Paul Okoye has now spanned multiple years, two official splits, a brief reunion, and a growing list of public accusations on both sides. November 30 is still months away. To see if the gesture will land as true liberation or just pettiness may depend entirely on where things stand by then.

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I Took Over From Myself’: Tinubu’s Claims that He and Buhari Are ‘One’

President Bola Tinubu addressed supporters on Wednesday night in a video that was equal parts pep talk and provocation, but it was one particular line that cut through everything else and set social media alight.

Speaking to the leadership and coordinators of his Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tinubu pushed back against the criticism that his administration inherited and worsened an already broken economy.

His defence took an unexpected turn. “This economy, I didn’t have to look back because the truth is, I took over from myself,” he said. “The late Buhari is me, he was a partner, if I took over from him, is that not from myself? So, it’s wrong? Fine. Live with it, correct it, move on.

Nigerians online did not move on, at least not immediately. The comment, which appeared to collapse the distinction between his administration and Muhammadu Buhari’s, drew a flood of reactions ranging from genuine bewilderment to sharp mockery.

For critics who have spent two years arguing that Tinubu’s government is a continuation of the same policies that drove Nigeria into economic hardship, the president had essentially handed them their argument in his own words.

The broader address, shared to his official page at 10:38 pm alongside a roughly ten-minute video, was deliberately combative.

Tinubu took aim at the opposition, dismissing the recently held ADC convention as “a street convention” and its energy as mere “rascality.”

He warned that his government would not yield to noise or disobedience of court orders, while also promising supporters that standing with him would not be a decision they would regret.

At one point, he told the ambassadors, “That is why we have told you to renew their hope”, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that for those unwilling to embrace the hope on offer, they would simply provide “eyeglasses.” It was the kind of line that plays well in a room full of loyalists and poorly everywhere else.

The overall message he tried to convey was that he would not be retreating, would not be apologising, and was not particularly interested in critics.

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S.A Opposition leader Julius Malema sentenced to five years in prison over gun incident

A South African court has sentenced opposition leader Julius Malema to five years in prison after finding him guilty of illegally firing a rifle during a political rally, a ruling that could shake the country’s opposition politics.

Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was convicted on several firearm-related charges linked to a 2018 party rally in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, where he was filmed firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air in front of thousands of supporters.

The court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, and reckless endangerment, offences that prosecutors argued posed a serious public safety risk.

During sentencing, the magistrate emphasised that public figures must respect the law and warned that celebratory gunfire could endanger lives. Prosecutors had pushed for a maximum 15-year sentence, arguing that leniency would set a dangerous precedent given Malema’s influence as a national political figure.

Malema’s legal team, however, argued that the act was symbolic and caused no harm, urging the court to impose a fine instead of prison time.

The outspoken politician has already vowed to appeal both the conviction and the sentence, insisting the case is politically motivated. If the sentence is upheld, the ruling could have major political consequences. Under South African law, a prison sentence exceeding 12 months without the option of a fine can disqualify a lawmaker from holding a parliamentary seat, potentially forcing Malema out of the National Assembly.

Malema, a former youth leader of the African National Congress before founding the EFF in 2013, has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most controversial political figures. His party campaigns for radical economic reforms, including land redistribution without compensation and nationalisation of key industries.

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