Third Republic Lawmakers Beg Tinubu to Pay Their Entitlements

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Third Republic Parliamentarian Forum  has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to pay their entitlements, which have been left hanging for the past 31 years.

The lawmakers, who were members of the House of Representatives, who served in the aborted third republic made the  appeal yesterday in Abuja, when they honoured one of their own and member representing Sagbama federal constituency of Bayelsa state, Hon Fred Agbedi, who was a member of the third Assembly.

They noted that if Chief MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kinginbe could be recognised, former members, who were duly inaugurated should also be given due recognition and get their entitlement paid.

The Forum’s Welfare Officer, Amina Aliyu, said even though about 593 of them were inaugurated as members of the third assembly, about 250 of them had died without being paid their entitlements.

She added that former lawmakers decided to honour Agbedi because he has continued to identify with them and taken care of the welfare of many of them.

“When we came here, we were 593, but over 250 have gone. Most of the women are dead. Yesterday (Tuesday) was 31 years since we were sworn in as members of this parliament. Our grandchildren can vote and be voted for now. Yet, we still have problems.

“Our problem is one, our claims. We are here to honour this man who has been struggling to fight for our rights and the rights of other Nigerians. If Abiola and Kingibe were being honoured and recognised, we are the foot soldiers. We are the delegates that voted them into power. What about us? Why can we not be honoured and paid our salaries and outstanding?”

Responding, Agbedi appealed to the president to listen to the cry of the former lawmakers and order the payment of their entitlements.

“I also join them in calling on the National Assembly to do the needful. If for any reason, they have kept crying out that there are things, there are entitlements, there are benefits that were cut short because of the military intervention, of course, and the National Assembly should take the lead in ensuring that what is right is done for the people,” Agbedi said.