Bill giving pensions to lawmakers outrages Nigerians

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Pending legislation that would give pension packages to lawmakers in northwest Kano triggered an online protest Thursday, with residents questioning the move in Nigeria that is gripped by mass poverty.

"Kano state lawmakers have passed bill granting Speakers and Deputy Speakers pension for life, medical trip abroad yearly, new car every four years," International Crisis Group (ICG) official Nnamdi Obasi wrote on Twitter.

"Kano state has over three million kids out of school, over three million youths unemployed. Criminal governance today will aggravate insecurity tomorrow," he said.

The legislation comes as similar proposals are being considered in other parts of the country, drawing widespread criticisms and warnings it could spark anger among the poor populace.

Residents are urging State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje not to sign the bill.

Nigeria was recently distinguished as the so-called poverty capital of the world by the World Poverty Clock. It has 13 million out-school-children and a widening gap between the rich and poor.

"The northwest has the second worst poverty indices in the country. [Half of the children] in the region is either stunted or wasted in terms of malnutrition," Hassan Ndagi, a public affairs analyst told Anadolu Agency.

"Such a law is wicked and tells badly on us as a people,” he said. “It shows our priority is wrong. How can a country with abysmal indices as ours be paying pension to lawmakers?"