Federal government has reportedly failed to pay the
country's ex-leaders their monthly salaries and allowances since January
because of a cash crisis, government secretary Babachir Lawal has said.
He made the disclosure during a meeting with group of
senators, raising questions about whether the government was in breach of the
constitution which guarantees ex-leaders salaries for life, reports BBC.
There are six ex-leaders whose salaries have been cut,
including that of 91-year-old Shehu Shagari, who was elected in 1979 and
overthrown by the military in 1983 after winning elections.
Unlike Mr Shagari, other ex-leaders are wealthy so they are
unlikely to feel the pinch.
They include:
- Olusegun Obasanjo - military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and elected president from 1999 to 2007
- Ibrahim Babangida - military ruler from 1985 to 1993
- Ernest Shonekan - interim president in 1993
- Abdulsalami Abubakar - military ruler from 1998 to 1999.
Current President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also a former
military leader, was elected to office last year after defeating Mr Jonathan -
the first Nigerian leader to relinquish power without a fight.
According to BBC it is likely that the salaries of
vice-presidents have also been stopped.
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