The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has allocated N13.8 billion in the 2024 budget for the upkeep of former presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, and Olusegun Obasanjo.
Details of the 2024 budget also show that former vice presidents Yemi Osinbajo, Namadi Sambo and Atiku Abubakar will also benefit from the largesse.
The amount will also cater for the upkeep of heads of state, chiefs of general staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, as well as retired heads of government agencies and parastatals.
Expected to benefit from the allocation are ex-military Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdusalami Abubakar, as well as a former dictator and self-styled military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, and a former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.).
Also, N1 trillion was earmarked for the public service wage adjustment for government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (including arrears of promotion and salary increases, and payment of severance benefits and minimum wage-related adjustments).
A breakdown shows that the entitlements of former presidents/heads of states and vice-presidents/chief of general staff will cost N2.3 billion, while N10.5 billion is proposed as benefits for retired heads of service, permanent secretaries and professors.
The payment of severance benefits to retired heads of government agencies and parastatals is proposed to cost N1 billion.
Other allocations include N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the reintegration of transformed ex-militants; N1 billion for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Energy; and N108 billion for unnamed special projects.
Peoplesmind
