Former Lawmakers Seek Resolution Of Unpaid Entitlements

By Oduyemi Odumade

Former Members of the House of Representatives who served during the defunct third republic have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, seeking the resolution of their longstanding issue regarding unpaid entitlements.

According to them, these entitlements have been left unresolved for more than thirty years, creating a pressing need for immediate action.

They also said if Chief MKO Abiola and Babagana Kinginbe could be recognised, former members who were duly inaugurated should also be given due recognition.

The Former Lawmakers who spoke under the aegis of the Third Republic Parliamentarian Forum, stated this when they honoured one of them who was a member of the third Assembly and currently in the tenth National Assembly, Fred Agbedi.

One of the Former Lawmakers and the welfare officer of the group, Hajia Amina Aliyu said that even though about 593 of them were inaugurated as members of the third assembly, about 250 of them have died without being paid their entitlements.

Hajia Aliyu said the Former lawmakers decided to honour Agbedi because he has continued to identify with them and taken care of the welfare of many of them.

Leader of the group, Basil Okafor described the election that brought them to the parliament as the best ever conducted in the country.

“We were elected in the clearest and cleanest election in the history of this country. That was the Option A4. At that time there was no rigging. Anybody who came to the House at that time came with the support and backing of his people.

“Unfortunately as it was the trend at that time, the military overthrew the government we were all sent packing. However, we did not relent because we were so united. Although they have asked us to go, we are still alive, we stand to fight, not only for our cause but also for the cause of the ascension.” he added.

Responding, Agbedi who is a Member Representing Sagbama Federal Constituency of Bayelsa state in the tenth House of representatives appealed to President Bola Tinubu to listen to the cry of the Former Lawmakers and order the payment of their entitlements.

He also congratulated President Tinubu who was also a member of the Third Republic parliament for emerging President, saying it was a clear testimony that the Third Republic had survived.

Agbedi expressed appreciation for the honour saying it would charge him to do more while promising to continue to do his best in the service to the National Assembly.

Edited By Grace Namiji