Bayelsa APC rejects pension for past govs, deputies, lawmakers
By Akam James, Yenagoa
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state has rejected the recently passed pension bill for past governors, deputy governor and members of the state House of Assembly.
It was learnt that the lawmakers passed the bill into law on Wednesday, after the Leader of the House, Peter Akpe, representing Sagbama Constituency 1, moved the motion for the debate of the pension bill.
But, the APC in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said it was unsympathetic for members of the House of Assembly to seek to enhance their own lives at the expense of the vast majority of Bayelsa people living in pain and penury.
The party described the bill as “unjust, ungodly and self-serving,” also describing the life pension bill as an “unspeakable crime against our people.”
The statement reads in part: “The party has also observed how the strange idea, which was proposed as a bill and passed by the House on Wednesday has set the public pulse racing. APC Bayelsa completely rejects this life pension bill for members of the Bayelsa state House of Assembly.
“APC has been at the forefront of efforts to enthrone a regime of better life for the people of Bayelsa state. And we have led a robust opposition to the current system of anti-people governance in the state for close to eight years. Regarding this latest move by the House of Assembly, we again say that the idea is avaricious, wicked, and insensitive.
“By proposing such a law, the lawmakers have merely portrayed themselves as a people who feel no concern for the feelings of their suffering constituents. They have once again confirmed that they are in cahoots with the executive in the serial impoverishment of the people of Bayelsa state.”
The APC therefore, advised the legislature to withdraw the obnoxious pension bill and avoid the appalling crime against the people of Bayelsa state and appealed to Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson, to refuse assent to the pension bill when it is transmitted to him.
