Tinubu backs Sanwo-Olu over repeal of pension law

Bola Tinubu

Former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu has described the move by the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to repeal the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007) as “bold and courageous”.

The law provides for payment of pension and other entitlements to former governors and their deputies.

Mr Sanwo-Olu told the State House of Assembly of his intention on Tuesday during his presentation of the proposed N1.155 trillion 2021 budget.

Tweeting on Wednesday, Tinubu expressed his support for the governor’s plan and congratulated him on the budget proposal.

“Congratulations to Governor Sanwo-Olu over the Y2021 budget which he appropriately christened ‘Budget of Rekindled Hope’. This audacious and enterprising budget will empower our people and begin to rebuild Lagos State,” the APC leader wrote.

“In particular, I would also like to commend the Governor for the plan to commence the repeal of the Pension Law giving pension packages to former governors and their deputies.

“This is a bold and courageous move by Mr. Governor and I wholeheartedly support him. I encourage all APC loyalists to do the same.”

Sanwo-Olu told the assembly he planned to repeal the law “in light of keeping the costs of governance low and to signal selflessness in public service.”

The move if granted will see an end to the payment of pension to former governors of the state including Babatunde Fashola and Tinubu.