Government secretary Babachir Lawal told this to senators who are checking whether the government is in breach of the constitution which guarantees ex-leaders salaries for life.

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There are six ex-leaders whose salaries have been cut,.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who left office last year, can probably survive without the payments.

But 91-year-old Shehu Shagari, who was elected in 1979 and overthrown by the military in 1983 after winning elections, lives from hand to mouth.

Senator Aliyu Wamakko says the government decision doesn’t indicate seriousness and it doesn’t indicate fairness.

Other former presidents affected include Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida,  Ernest Shonekan, and  Abdulsalami Abubakar

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The rival shook hands and hugged and promised to respect the outcome of a credible poll.

The deal between incumbent Goodluck Jonathan and challenger Muhammadu Buhari was brokered by former military leader Abdulsalami Abubaker.

The National Peace Committee he chairs warns that campaigning had been marred by hate speech that could trigger a crisis in the oil-rich state.

Analysts say the contestants are neck and neck on the final day of campaigning.

Nigeria’s land and sea borders have been closed to improve security.

The previous election in 2011 left 800 people dead.

There is some concern whether the country’s electoral commission is ready for the massive task – even though elections were postponed for six weeks to allow security forces to engage the Boko Haram terror group in the north east.

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