The Delta State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have stated that Contrary to the speculation and rumour being spread by suspected agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State that the APC Governorship candidate for the March 18 electrons was planning to reverse the newly domesticated retirement age for teachers which Governor Ifeanyi Okowa just signed into law, that the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act was passed into law by the National Assembly in January 2021 under Senator Omo-Agege’s watch as Deputy Senate President.
The APC, in a Press Release signed by Mr. Sunny Areh, Chief Press Secretary to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that was made available to newsmen today, said to now suggest that the same law DSP Ovie Omo-Agege facilitated its passage into law would be rolled back when he becomes Governor after winning the rescheduled March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election was not just stupid and idiotic but farcical.
The Press Release noted that “on April 8, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill which then became an Act. That Section 1 of the Act clearly states that Teachers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
“Unfortunately, uninformed disinformation agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shamelessly showed an unbelievable level of ignorance and naivety by generating and disseminating the absolutely false story that the Delta State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, plans to reverse the recent domestication of the Federal law by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State when assumes office as Governor”.
The Areh signed Release also noted that it was just a few days ago that Governor Okowa approved the adoption of the Act extending the retirement age of teacher exactly one year after the Federal Government had begun its implementation. And that it was a belated move borne out of desperation. That the same desperation was now cloaked with pitiable ignorance with the stupid rumour.
It added that “for record purposes, Senator Omo-Agege is part of the leadership of the National Assembly as Deputy Senate President that worked assiduously for the passage of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill into law.
“This was accomplished by the APC-led Federal Government where Senator Omo-Agege is a ranking leader.
“We urge Deltans, especially teachers and residents of Delta State to ignore the unfounded rumour by the PDP and vote for Omo-Agege as the next Governor of the State.
“The Deputy Senate President has a concerted programme to improve the ambience for learning by upgrading the infrastructure in educational institutions, promote teachers as and when due and ensure that on retirement, their gratuity and benefits are paid”.