Former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticizes the payment of pensions to former governors and deputies as daylight robbery, praising Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for repealing the law enabling such payments.

Obasanjo expressed his views during a visit to Otti at his home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, on Friday.

Commending Otti’s decision, Obasanjo hoped other governors would emulate him in repealing similar laws.

He stated, “I watched the television and I saw repealing of Abia pensions, and I asked you; what exactly is this? You said to me that the pension scheme for former governors here was too outrageous.”

“It’s like trouble because it allowed them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere, and it allowed them to cart away with whatever they can, yet the pensions of ordinary people from 2014 are unpaid.”

“What sort of leadership? You came and said there will be an end to that rascality. I congratulate you, and I say to you, I hope that your colleagues will follow your footsteps.”

Obasanjo applauded Otti’s resilience and reminded him of the work ahead, emphasizing the importance of good leadership and infrastructure development.

He urged Otti to focus on infrastructure, stating that with sound infrastructure and leadership, Abia State could achieve greater heights.

“Don’t be discouraged; you will be abused, you will be called names but if we have one-third of our states doing what should be done, this country will be a different country,” he added.

Governor Otti assured Obasanjo of his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development, particularly in Aba.

He also thanked Obasanjo for supporting the repeal of the pension law, emphasizing that leadership is about serving the people and not exploiting them.