Otti Signs Law Repealing Pensions For Past Governors, Deputies

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has signed into law a bill to repeal the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies.

The Executive Bill, which was passed by the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, is now known as the “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions (Repeal) Law, 2024.”

Signing the new law on Thursday, Governor Otti said government is not about self-interest, adding that self-interest destroys government.

“Even before this new law came into place, a lot of people who have followed our views in the national discuss understand that we were not going to continue the practice of paying pensions and allowances to this set of former government officials,” Governor Otti said.

Recall the bill, ‘H.A.B 11: a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters’ was sponsored by the member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Kalu.

The bill which scaled first, second and third readings aims at removing ‘outrageous’ spending on retired governors and their deputies by the State.

The lawmaker who was delighted with the passage of the bill said it was in line with the agenda of Governor Alex Otti-led government to reduce the cost of governance in the state.