By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Coalition has rejected the proposed Pension Allowance Bill for former Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Principal Officers and Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, describing it as ill-timed, self-serving and contrary to the principles of accountable and people-centred governance.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Jos, the coalition’s Convener, Steve Aluko, said the proposed legislation was unacceptable at a time when Plateau State is facing economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and other pressing development challenges.
The coalition argued that creating additional lifetime financial obligations for former political office holders could not be justified when citizens were struggling with worsening socio-economic conditions.
According to the statement, the bill reportedly passed its first and second readings on the same day without adequate legislative scrutiny or meaningful public engagement.
The coalition also expressed concern that the contents of the bill had not been made available to the public, thereby denying citizens, civil society groups, labour unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders the opportunity to examine legislation with significant financial implications.
It maintained that the apparent absence of a public hearing undermines transparency, weakens public confidence in the legislative process and runs contrary to the principles of participatory democracy.
The coalition stressed that Plateau State needs policies that promote economic growth, strengthen public services and improve the welfare of citizens rather than legislation that appears to prioritise the interests of former political office holders.
The CSOs called on the Plateau State House of Assembly to immediately suspend further consideration of the bill, publish its full contents and subject it to a transparent public hearing involving citizens, labour unions, pensioners, professional bodies, civil society organisations and economic experts.
They also urged the state governor to withhold assent should the bill be passed in its current form.
“We unequivocally oppose any legislation that is self-serving, economically burdensome and disconnected from the realities of the people.
Plateau State deserves laws that promote inclusive development, fiscal responsibility and place the interests of citizens above those of political office holders,” the statement said.
The statement was jointly endorsed by several civil society organisations, including the Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation, Voice Connect Development Initiatives (VCDI), Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR), Saphira Global Centre for Social Development, Kuyimiki Development Initiative (KDI), Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), African Youth Leadership and Democratic Centre, NetAccess Foundation, Civil Liberties Organisation, Country Women Association of Nigeria, CASS Educational Foundation, CBD-NGO, Unique Centre for Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing (UCPTH), Loving Care Development Centre, INTERCEP, League for Human Rights, CYPA Africa, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Equal Basis Development Initiative (EBDI) and Community Action for Popular Participation.
