TUC to resist Senate’ life pension, immunity proposal

Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria’s umbrella body for senior staff in public and private organisations, says it will mobilise to resist the proposal by the legislators for a life pension and immunity for presiding officers of the National Assembly.

TUC says the proposal at the time the economy is in doldrums, with massive job losses and unprecedented poverty, smacks of insensitivity. It argues that the call for immunity for the principal officers of the National Assembly must be condemned, insisting that every person, no matter how highly placed, should face the wrath of the law.

“The senators have argued that it is important the amendment is made in order not to make the Senate appear cheapened. And our argument is, what about the poor masses that have been raped, cheapened, abused and preyed upon since 1960s?

“Enough is enough to the insensitivity of our lawmakers and politicians because we will be left with no option than to hit the street if they fail to listen to the voice of reason.

“Sometimes, we wonder if our politicians are truly abreast with the opinion of the international community about them. Is it not laughable and ridiculous that if our lawmakers are not acquiring 108 Toyota Land Cruiser (SUVs) and increasing salaries/allowances, they are talking about awarding contracts to themselves and cronies?

“Is it not unfortunate that while we are yet to recover from the shock caused by some lawmakers who molested some white ladies in a hotel in the US, another drama is unfolding, the latest being proposal of life pension for Senate president, deputy, speaker of House of Representative and deputy?

“Where lies the conscience of our senators? How come they are not perturbed by the prevailing realities? Why are they bent on frustrating the effort of the President at revamping the economy and recovering our looted treasury? We want to assure them that they will not have their way this time, not any more,” the TUC said in a statement signed by Bobboi Kagaima and Semiso Amachree, president and secretary-general, respectively. 

They further argue that benefits of the office of the Senate president and other principal officers were already too juicy, which explains why they would do anything to remain in office.