In the wake of the Abia State House of Assembly repealing the pension law for former governors and deputies, Senator Theodore Orji, who once governed Abia State and later served in the Senate, has refuted claims of receiving pension payments since his tenure ended in 2015.
The legislative body recently passed the “H.A.B 11: The Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law Repeal Bill 2024,” initiated by Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, the Majority Leader representing Arochukwu state constituency.
Senator Orji, communicating through Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, his ex-Chief Liaison Officer, emphasized that he has not been compensated with any pension funds and has not sought such payments on moral grounds.
He stated: “Since T. A Orji left office as Governor, he has not received any penny as pension.
“He transited from Governor to Senate and he made it a point of morality that he will not, and he didn’t ask for any pension or question anybody about it because he is not interested in it.”
Senator Orji also remarked that while the legislative assembly holds the authority to amend state laws, he should not be associated with the now-defunct pension statute.
“The House of Assembly has the prerogative to periodically review the laws of the state. It’s in their powers to do so but nobody should link Senator Orji with the said pension law because nobody has paid him any pension after leaving office as Governor.
“Senator Orji has not received any pension as former Governor, and as a statesman he has not asked for any. He didn’t receive any pension from Okezie Ikpeazu and he didn’t pay anybody too.”
The bill’s proponent argued on the assembly floor that its enactment would curtail governance expenses, suggesting that the substantial funds previously allocated for ex-governors’ pensions could be redirected to more beneficial purposes.
The bill received unanimous support from other assembly members and was subsequently enacted.
Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Speaker, lauded the legislators for their support of the bill, aligning its passage with the desires of the Abian populace and affirming the assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that prioritize the people’s interests.