By Valentine Amanze
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has rejected the life pension for the state House of Assembly which was passed by the House on Wednesday.
It stated that each member of the House of Assembly would be entitled to a monthly post-service life pensions of between N0.1 million and N0.5 million when the law becomes operational.
The party, via its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, described the bill as unjust, ungodly, self-serving and strange, stressing that it has set the public pulse racing.
The APC also stated that 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. APC has been at the forefront of efforts to enthrone a regime of better life for the people of Bayelsa State, it stated.
“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,” it stated
Besides, the APC advised the legislature to withdraw the pension bill and avoid the appalling crime against the people of Bayelsa State.
According to it, “In the event of the legislature’s refusal to heed this solemn advice, we appeal to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, if he is still in touch with his essential humanity, to refuse assent to the pension bill when it is transmitted to him. Failing this, the party calls on the people of Bayelsa State to embark on a campaign of peaceful resistance against the rogue assembly.”
