Retirees are now living the life, enough of your fallacy: The use of comparatives is only suitable when there are two objects of the same value, quantity, importance and essence under consideration. Hence it would amount to an utter error to compare the statistics that I am about to dole out with what was obtainable in the past administrations, owing to the dwindling economic situations of every financial period – now is even harsher.
While there have not been any chances for cheap political points in so many aspects of Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s activities at helm of affairs, there have been some individuals who I would rather say, are suffering from myopic seizures that believe our pensioners are living a abject life.
But, under a democratic society, there is an opportunity that is bequeathed to every individual who knows his onion. One of such is the freedom of speech and to put government on its toes. Conjuring up unfound claims in order to exterminate the public support and acceptance enjoyed by such government as well as other instruments of politics of mudslinging, is a total abuse of such right. Every we say or propagate needs to be hinged of responsibility devoid of prejudice. Sections 22, 39 and 45 of the 1999 Constitution did give the media and individuals the right to make government accountable and responsible through expression of opinions and ideas either through the media or not but with logic and without nebulous criticism.
To hit the nail on the nail on the head regarding the issue at hand, this government has spent more than N10 Billion on Civil Pension, Gratuity and Contributory Pension between December 2018 and May 2020. N9 Billion has been spent on Civil Pension, over N400 million on Gratuity while close to N700 Million has been disbursed as Contributory Pensions within this period.
It is as though the thing we know how to do best is to neglect protocols when we want to criticise the government. Many critic know how to get through to those in government when there is one request or the other to make but would never do so when they are about to embark on their journey of black propaganda. I wonder how these set of people feel comfortable pulling the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting individuals out of their own volition when it is as simple as dialing up a number for fact!
We had better known that some people not living up certain luxuries expected around them is not a question of irresponsible government but more of spending culture, which is not limited to a certain age. In this clime, we are fond of not minding the size of cloth on ground before cutting it. Some people earn low, some high and some average but whichever category we belong to, it is important to be futuristic with our spending.
Adeleke Abiodun
