The Federal Government has revealed that it has not paid former Presidents and ex-Heads of State including Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Shagari allowances since January this year.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said this on Thursday while playing host to the members of the Senate Committee of Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, led by Senator Tijjani Kaura in his office.
According to him, the former leaders have not been paid due to unavailability of funds for the service-wide votes for salaries of ex-presidents.
Lawal said, “There is a department responsible for the payment of former Presidents. Presently, funds are not available in service-wide vote to do that. We are aware there was a protest in Bayelsa State that the former President (Jonathan) was not paid and we have explained that he is not the only one affected.
“Others affected are the interreligious council, traditional rulers’ council and so on. For some reasons, we have been writing and writing but there has been no response. And there is presently no money to pay them.
“The budget for this year’s Democracy Day was N33m and we had to do it on credit; we have yet to pay. There are lots of retreats which ought to be organised but there’s no money to do any. The last time we got any release was in August.”
However, those in the know claim that the former presidents have not received their entitlement because President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly refused to approve it.
According to the source, payment schedules needed to access the funds and sent to the President for his approval have not been treated.
The visiting senators, however, dismissed Lawal’s explanation, insisting that joint efforts should be made between the Office of the SGF and the committee towards ensuring that the leaders were paid the arrears.
The vice-chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, described the non-payment of the former presidents as abnormal.
He said, “What we have seen here is an abnormality. Before referring any matter to the National Assembly, it is a function of the executive to appropriate funds. Therefore, the SGF should understand that there is something wrong in this office that must be addressed.
“There is no way you can run the expenses of this office without cash backing. We definitely have to draw the attention of the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance to the problems.”
Also, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, a former Governor of Sokoto State, berated the SGF.
“We can understand if former President Goodluck Jonathan has not being paid because he just left office. But for someone like Shagari, who lives from hand to mouth, it is something I can’t understand. This development is really unfortunate. It doesn’t indicate seriousness and it doesn’t indicate fairness.”
In an attempt to persuade the senators, Lawal further explained, “When I got into this office, there was a lot of money in this (salary) account but there was no TSA.
“Before the government left office, they jacked up salaries. We told former Presidents Jonathan and Obasanjo that they cannot earn twice what the others were earning. So, we told them we wanted to review it and we did. So, they now earn what the others earn as well.
“When I came into office, there was N1.5bn in the account. We had payment of all liabilities, which came to 700m. Then, we wrote to the President to return what was left to the TSA. That was how we came back to a zero balance.
“It is painful to me because, as a person, I know all of them (ex-presidents) personally. Now, why have we not been able to get the money? We requested a budget of N700m but the President has his way of doing things.
“Look around, you’ll see government vehicles breaking down every now and then. Really, I know the challenges the budget office is facing but the truth is that the funds are not just there. In any government, there are certain agencies that must be served first before others. So, we have agreed on that.
“However, we will lean harder on the finance ministry to see that the situation is turned around. As the SGF, I’m getting embarrassed and demeaned by chasing money coming from demands. All the MDAs come to me for things to be done and it is not quite easy, but we will try our best.
“Last year, these political appointees had nothing. As for assistance, we really need assistance, if not but to retain all what we have budgeted for.”
The entitlements of former presidents, heads of state and vice-presidents/Chief of General staff had a budgetary provision of N2.3bn for 2016.
After more than five years of security restriction, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state.
Making the announcement during a press briefing at the weekend, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake stated that the nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts. He noted that the previous ban, which was good intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources. He emphasized that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue is enormous.
It will be recalled that in 2019, the federal government imposed a total ban on mining activities in Zamfara State due to the escalating security concerns, particularly the links between banditry and illegal mining.
Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity. A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” Alake asserted.
The minister added that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state. This will enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
Commending members of the fourth estate of the realm for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024, Alake noted that the press have been key allies in efforts to sanitise the mining sector, and promote market reforms which have made the industry attractive to indigenous and foreign investors.
On the recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, Alake reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that the agreement does not imply Nigeria is relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France. He emphasized that Nigeria’s military remains fully capable of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we are signing. We’ve signed similar ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, despite facts to the contrary, is uncalled for, “the minister emphasised.
Dr. Alake also urged the media to continue to play its crucial role in educating the public about government policies in order to prevent ignorance, mischief, and the spread of misinformation.
Looking ahead to 2025, the minister hinted at upcoming policy initiatives aimed at revitalizing the mining sector. He revealed that the ministry plans to further consolidate reforms, enhance the enabling environment for investments, and continue efforts to reposition the sector for long-term, sustainable growth.
Segun Tomori, FSCA
Special Assistant on Media
to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development
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