Group To Sue Kano Assembly Over Plan To Include Ex-Lawmakers In Pension Act Amendment

The Centre For Human Rights and Social Advancement  on Monday decried  plans of  Kano State House of Assembly to include former Principal Officers of the House among the beneficiaries of the state former Governors and deputies pension Act Amendment.

The Centre in a letter signed by its Executive Director Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo addressed to the Speaker Kano State House of Assembly dated 9^th April 2018  objected to the move and called on the lawmakers to reconsider its stance on the amendment.

The Centre said in a recent  interview granted to media on the 2nd April, 2018, the Speaker Yusuf Abdullahi Atta stated that “the inclusion of lawmakers as beneficiaries of the pension scheme is vital considering their contribution and most of them after their service are not engaged in any employment.”

It said that laws are made for the peace, order and good governance, and it is out of this we write to register our objections and grievances to the proposed amendment.

In the letter the Centre For Human Rights and Social Advancement  said accordingly, the proposed amendment and/or inclusion is sentimental, self-centered and contrary to the provision of Section 124 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“ it is now well settled that the Nigerian Constitution is the ground norm; all other laws derive their validity, utility, and efficacy from the Nigerian Constitution. If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void “.

“ It is in view of the above, we clearly and categorically oppose your interest for the general interest of the good people of Kano State “.

It  therefore urge the Kano State House of Assembly to reconsider its stance on this issue, failure of which the mechanism of the Judiciary shall be tested.