Buhari :'They continue to benefit even after death': The controversy surrounding the Nigerian government's "huge allowances" for former presidents' families

Money, healthcare, education, vacations, cars, houses, security, communication tools, staff, and home and office are among these benefits. These extravagant gifts that the previous presidents received are protected by law. The Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act stipulates that the Nigerian government may continue to make these draconian payments to the families of former presidents. 

The federal government provides allowances to those who have been left behind to mourn a former President or Vice President. On the other hand, GLOBALGISTZNG is aware that a deceased former president's family will see a significant reduction in benefits. As was mentioned earlier, Nigerian law stipulates that the spouses and children of deceased former presidents receive N1 million annually (N250k quarterly) to support them and their children through university education. 

If the spouse got married again, the benefit would end. The allowance and other benefits provided to the families of former Presidents and Vice Presidents are discussed in Sections 1 and 2 of the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act. 

The Federal Republic of Nigeria's annual budget also includes these advantages. It states that the presidents and heads of state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will receive a N350,000 maintenance allowance each month. Vice Presidents and Chiefs of General Staff will be paid the sum of N250,000 per month as upkeep allowance. It stipulates that the members of families of deceased former Heads of State shall be entitled to the payment of the sum of N1,000,000 annually, with N250,000 due every quarter; and The sum of N750,000 annually, payable in the form of N187,500 every quarter, is due to deceased former Vice Presidents. 

The money is meant to help the spouse and make it possible for the children of deceased former Heads of State and Vice Presidents to go to college. According to the law, this compensation for all former Heads of State and Vice Presidents must be reviewed whenever the salaries of the President and Vice President in office rise. But all efforts by GLOBALGISTZNG to ascertain the present state of things from the authorities proved abortive. 

One State Security Service officer not below Grade Level 10 as an Aide-de-Camp to be attached for life and paid by the State Security Agencies; three vehicles to be bought by the Federal Government and liable to be replaced every four years; the drivers shall be selected by the Head of State and paid by the Federal Government; diplomatic passport for life; protocol within and outside of Nigeria; free medical treatment for former Heads of State and their immediate family within Nigeria; treatment abroad for former Heads of State and their immediate family where necessary at the expense Others are thirty days of annual vacation within and outside Nigeria at Federal Government expense; a well-furnished and equipped office in any location of the choice of the former President or Head of State in Nigeria; a well-furnished five-bedroom house to be provided in any location of the choice of the former Head of State in Nigeria; non-political mails within and outside Nigeria as franked mail marked “POSTAGE PAID”; one direct telephone line provided at Federal Government expense. 

Similar benefits are provided to a former Vice President by the Federal Government. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, or SGF, informed GLOBALGISTZNG that the families of former Presidents, whether they are still alive or dead, are receiving allowances from the Federal Government. The SGF, on the other hand, did not provide any additional details regarding who gets what. Speaking to GLOBALGISTZNG on the said benefits, Segun Simmons Imohioson, Spokesperson to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, affirmed there are benefits, but not just for the families of late former Presidents but also for the living past leaders. 

 “All I can say is that, whether they were dead or alive, all of the country's previous presidents have received benefits from the government. It's simple. “There is a department in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that is called the Department of the Affairs of the Former Heads. As a result, if the former heads of state are not alive, that department takes care of them and their wives. However, many Nigerians believe that these benefits for the families of the former and current presidents are unnecessary. Some people believe that such packages have increased the office's appeal to such an extent that politicians would consider suicide in order to attain power. 

Others are of the opinion that the ruling political class in Nigeria only cares about themselves and pass laws that help them and enrich themselves. 

@ToheebAlim: “Despite the fact that they are self-sufficient above all this… a priority misplaced.” @enyola wrote, "Rubbish that needs to be removed from the law." 

@sanusi_tunji asked, "What are the benefits that the wife of a deceased soldier enjoys while in active duty?" 

@ebhos_gideon: "This is only on papers... They hide behind them millions and billions of dollars in the interim..." 

@owolabi_st48050 writes, "The law is set up so that public servants will be faithful, but while in office they mismanaged to favor themselves, family, and friends." 

@Isholanoah01: "The constitution still gives them more!" despite the stolen billions. Some Nigerians are curious about the late Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s and as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. They want to know if he still has any undergraduate children and how much N1 million would help them. 

A frontline activist and former ActionAid Nigeria Country Director and Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Comrade Mrs., was asked if such benefits, specifically the entitlement to free medical treatment abroad for former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and their families, were necessary and if this is what is available in other countries. According to Ene Obi, who spoke with the GLOBALGISTZNG, the cost of governance has remained a major issue in Nigeria. “I think when you look at the cost of governance in Nigeria, you know, you look at it and you wonder whether the government is governing according to the reflection of the people,” she said. 

The question of social justice is just hazy. How is it possible for someone of Buhari's ancestry to have children who are interested in learning when they cannot even obtain scholarships to attend school? Are there any children who have not yet graduated? Also, all of that. “This government cannot adequately equip its hospitals, but when people go outside, Nigerian doctors treat them. This is the case if they are discussing things like family education and international healthcare. As a result, governments that continue to project the idea that poor health care will cause people to leave their homes have failed. It is a generational failure. 

There have been so many unsuccessful eras. So the government of Buhari failed in that respect. You are aware that we do not disparage the deceased; may his soul rest in peace. “However, the current administration's handling of his death... now, if you look at the volume and capacity of people who traveled to London [to bring the remains of former President Buhari]... 

 “The Buhari I know will say, "Simply bring me back," rather than the number of individuals traveling to London. It is impossible to estimate how much they spent traveling to London to bring him home. Buhari would be upset by that. He was a very straightforward person. He would never again act in that manner. I'm sure he was insured, so the question of the benefits that will go to his family. If he was insured, the insurance should pay for him. So what is all this about other benefits and so on and so forth? “Nigeria is such... the cost of governance is a major concern that we are discussing. The majority of our politicians travel abroad for treatment when they should be building hospitals in this country, where we have qualified physicians serving in a variety of capacities across the country. 

Therefore, I simply feel enraged about a number of things, but I don't want to ruin my day. How many women per year die in maternity beds? Additionally, no financial assistance would be available to those who were capable of having children. Many of us are responsible for the medical expenses of those who have children but are unable to pay for them to leave the hospitals. “Millions of Nigerians are dying as a result of the high cost of healthcare, and our leaders are traveling abroad. 

They killed the bill when Dino Melaye made a proposal that said, "No Nigerian political leaders should go out for treatment that is paid for." “One Head of State is passing away, and another Head of State is also receiving treatment abroad. It says nothing good about the capabilities of Nigeria. Nigeria has the potential, but we need a government that recognizes that potential and makes investments in it.