ABUJA, AUGUST 18, 2016 – President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he has not been receiving military pensions and salaries as former head of state since he assumed office in May last year.According to him, he did not receive pensions due to him, being a retired military officer, unlike many of his contemporaries.
The President was reacting to a report circulating on social media which alleged he has been receiving double payments from the federal coffers.
In a statement released by his spokesman Garba Shehu, on Twitter, Mr. Buhari said all financial gratuities, vehicles and even souvenirs due to him were not paid to him by the Army.
“The President has never received pension from the army or car as had gone to former Commanders-in-Chief,” Mr. Shehu said. “After his overthrow, they didn’t remember him even in the annual distribution of diaries or calendars.
“Buhari stopped collecting allowances paid to former Heads of State the moment he took office as elected President last year.
“Since his overthrow as military ruler, the army never instituted a pension for him. The army is known to supply cars to former heads of the army. President Buhari never got any of that,” Shehu said.