A Twitter user claimed that Bola Tinubu, being a former governor of Lagos state, is entitled to unlimited medical benefits under the ‘State Governors Pension Law of 2007’.
The Twitter user added that all members of Tinubu’s family, not just his immediate family, are also entitled to this privilege.
‘This means that everytime he flies abroad for “medical” reasons, the state is obliged by law to pay ALL his bills – including the cost of the flight and cost of “treatment”. Same applies to ALL members of his family, not just members of his nuclear family.’ He tweeted.
Bola Tinubu is a former governor of Lagos state and Nigeria’s president-elect. Since he declared to contest in the presidential election, there has been increased spotlight on his personality and concern about his health.
Similarly, he has embarked on multiple trips to European countries for alleged medical treatment in disguise for working visits. He embarked on one of such visit few days ago having just returned from France last month.
Verification:
By virtue of the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007), former governors and deputy governors in Lagos state, are entitled to certain benefits which range from housing, transport, furniture, health, etc.
As regards medical treatment, the Payment of Pension Law 2007 provides for free medical treatment for a governor and the deputy governor, and members of their immediate family, even after leaving office.
This means that any former governor and deputy governor in Lagos state from 2007 till date would be entitled to free medical treatment by the state, including members of their immediate family.
However, in November 2020, the Lagos state House of Assembly moved for the amendment of the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007).
Reasons given for such an amendment included the ‘present economic situation of the state.’
According to a report by The Guardian , ‘Lagos State is grappling with financial burdens for which reason it had to review its 2020 budget downward by 21 per cent, particularly with its expected revenue dropping by 24 per cent.’
In June 2021, the Lagos state House of Assembly amended the State Pension Law for former governors ( and other political office holders), reducing their benefits and emoluments by 50 per cent.
Notable areas in which the new law made amendments included transport, and housing.
Verdict: Misleading
The claim that Tinubu and all members of his family are entitled to free medical treatment by the Lagos state government is misleading.
The Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension Law 2007) expressly stated that only the (former) governors/deputy governors and members of their immediate family are entitled to such benefit.
The provisions, therefore, exclude any person who’s not within the purview of the immediate family, namely spouses and children.
Extensive analysis of the amended provisions by the new pension law shows that the new law reduced benefits as regards transport, housing, with no reference to medical treatment.
It would appear, therefore, that the new law maintained the paragraph on health benefits, which entitled only the governor/deputy governor and their immediate families to unlimited health treatment by the state.
To analyze the full details of the health benefit, as contained in the amended pension law, we reached out to the Lagos State House of Assembly via email. They however did not respond to the mail as at the time of this report.