Buhari, Osinbajo, others to get N63bn severance package

A whooping sum of N63.45billion is to be released as severance package for President Muhammadu Buhari, his vice, Yemi Osinbajo and state governors and other pooitical appointees as their tenure expires 2023.

The figure also covers the severance gratuity for ministers, commissioners, National Assembly members, state assembly members and special advisers. It, however, does not include special assistants.

A breakdown of the package indicates that the Federal Government would pay out N3.39bn while the states will cough out N60.06bn.

The collated amount for the beneficiaries’ package was from a document obtained from the website of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission.

The severance allowance is, however, separate from other financial packages which may be in place as retirement benefits or pensions for some of the political office holders.

As approved by RMAFAC, political office holders were entitled to 300 per cent of their annual salary as a severance package.

In addition, some ex-governors will be paid 100 per cent of their annual basic salary for life after leaving office.

They would also get new cars every three years, a house in any part of the country, free medical care, as well as furniture allowance and car maintenance allowance.

They are also entitled to cooks, stewards, gardeners, and other domestic staff, among other perks, including policemen and Department of State Services operatives for life.

Also, total of N13.81bn was proposed for the payment of pensions to former Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Heads of State, Chiefs of General Staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, as well as retired heads of government agencies and parastatals in the 2023 fiscal year.

The beneficiaries include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as Vice-Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, among others.

Also expected to benefit from the windfall are ex-military Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdusalami Abubakar, as well as a former dictator and self-styled military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and a former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.).

As stipulated by RMAFAC, the President will get a severance pay of N10.54m, which is 300 per cent of his annual basic salary, while Vice-President Osinbajo will receive N9.09m.

The eight special advisers in the Presidency are expected to get N5.83m each, totalling N46.64m.

There are 44 ministers under Buhari, consisting of 27 federal ministers and 17 ministers of state.

While each minister is entitled to N6.08m, each minister of state is entitled to N5.87m. In total, they would get N258.08m, with ministers getting N164.16m and ministers of states receiving N93.92m.