The immediate past governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, says he has not received any pension from the state government since leaving office on May 29, 2023.

Ikpeazu’s statement comes on the heel of the repeal of the Abia State Pension Act for former governors by the State Assembly.

The former governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, refuted reports that he was receiving pension from the state government.

He described the reports as mischievously couched to give the false impression that he is among former governors of the state currently receiving a pension from the Abia State Government.

Abia Assembly passes bill to stop ex-govs, deputies’ pension

Ememanka stated: “Dr Okezie Ikpeazu wishes to make it abundantly clear that since after handing over the reins of power as Governor of Abia State on May 29th, 2023, he has neither requested for, nor received from the Abia State Government, any dime under any guise whatsoever, and has no intentions of doing so.

“Former Governor Ikpeazu has since moved on with his life and is currently engaged in other areas of interest to him and advises the Abia State Government and her various organs to face the business of governance and desist from engaging in needless media sensationalism.

“The general public should be properly guided, please.”

The State Assembly had, on Tuesday, passed a bill to stop payment of pension to former governors and their deputies in Abia State.

The Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole, and its third reading during plenary on Tuesday.

Emeruwa, while congratulating the lawmakers, said the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources towards development.

The Star