…Rejects Illegal Registration of Retirees Association
Pensioners in the Southwest geo-political zone have decried the persistent delay in the payment of pensions to federal pensioners and state pensioners.
The pensioners, under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), described the denial of their dues as cruel and unacceptable, given that senior citizens largely depend on pensions for survival and medical care.
The union also rejected what it described as the illegal registration of the National Association of State Retirees of Nigeria by officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, insisting that the move contravenes the Trade Union Act.
Speaking during the Southwest zonal meeting of the union held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Dr Olusegun Abatan, State Secretary of the NUP and Public Relations Officer of the Southwest Zone, stated that pensioners across the country were concerned about the continuous delay in pension payments.
According to him, it had become common for pensioners to receive their monthly pensions far into the following month, a situation he said was unbearable for elderly citizens who rely on the money for medication and daily survival.
Abatan appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise prompt payment of pensions, stressing that proper welfare for retirees would also help reduce corruption in public service.
He said, “If the government truly wants to reduce corruption in Nigeria, pensioners must be treated well. When serving workers see retired senior officers languishing in poverty after decades of service, they may be tempted to misuse public resources while still in office.”
The pensioners’ leader also condemned the registration of the National Association of State Retirees of Nigeria, alleging that the process was carried out by overzealous officials in the Ministry of Labour and Employment without due process.
He argued that the registration violated the Trade Union Act, which prohibits the creation of a parallel union where an existing union already caters to the same category of workers or retirees.
Abatan maintained that the constitution of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners already covers all categories of retirees, including federal pensioners, state pensioners, local government retirees, pensioners from statutory corporations, paramilitary agencies, and those under the contributory pension scheme.
He added, “If the Nigeria Union of Pensioners already caters for state retirees, there is no justification for creating another parallel association. We reject it and call on the Ministry of Labour to withdraw the registration immediately.”
He disclosed that pensioners’ forums in the 19 northern states, the Southwest and the Southeast geopolitical zones had all condemned the registration.
The union also accused the Registrar of Trade Unions, Shaib Rabiu, of allegedly facilitating the registration without proper consultation, while warning pensioners nationwide not to join the new association.
Abatan said the union would seek legal redress if the registration was not withdrawn.
The NUP also used the occasion to commend governors who have remained committed to the welfare of pensioners through regular payment of gratuities and pensions, particularly Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The union also condemned the Lagos State Government over its decision to exclude pensioners with federal shares from the proposed N32,000 pension increment, insisting that the move was unconstitutional and discriminatory.
According to him, the circular stated that the additional monthly increment would apply only to Lagos State pensioners with state pension shares, while pensioners with both federal and state pension shares would be excluded because they already benefit from the federal government’s implementation of the increment.
Abatan said the decision could not stand because salaries and pensions fall under the exclusive list of the 1999 Constitution and all states are expected to comply with directives issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Abatan said, “The South-West condemns this circular and demands its immediate withdrawal.”
On the issue of unpaid gratuities and pensions by some state governments, the union disclosed that it had engaged several governors and, in some instances, taken legal action against states that failed to meet their obligations to retirees.
On the welfare of pensioners, the NUP spokesman explained that various state chapters of the union had established support systems aimed at improving the health condition of retirees.
The NUP also commended governors who have remained committed to the welfare of pensioners through regular payment of gratuities and pensions, particularly Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
