The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the South-West has declared that it will not support or vote for any governor who fails to prioritise the payment of pensions and gratuities, warning that such issues will influence their decisions in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the end of the union’s zonal council meeting in Akure, Ondo State, the NUP South-West spokesperson, Dr. Olusegun Abatan, criticised state governments in the region for delays and inconsistencies in the payment of retirees’ entitlements.
Abatan specifically faulted the Ondo State government over what he described as a troubling backlog of gratuity payments. According to him, some retirees from as far back as 2013 are only now receiving their benefits.
He said, “It is not gratified to inform you that Ondo State, where people are saying, “Aiye ti datiwa”, we are having a different thing in Ondo State. As I speak to you, 2013 gratuities of retirees are the benchmark that are being paid by this government.
“Pensioners that retired in 2013 are just getting their gratuities in Ondo State and i am talking of local government pensioners and for state pensioners, it is only 2016 pensioners that are just getting theirs.
“This is not fair enough for those that have served the state meritoriously and for those who have one ailment or the other, government apparatus does not know that pensioners should get their dues as at when due.”
He urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take urgent action to address the situation, saying pensioners in the state are expecting a positive response before the end of the month.
Abatan also addressed challenges faced by pensioners who had accounts with the now-defunct Heritage Bank.
He said the issue has been resolved and that affected pensioners would receive their payments in the coming weeks.
While noting gaps in some states, the union commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for releasing N8.8 billion in gratuity arrears in the past two months. He also acknowledged that the governor provided pilgrimage slots to pensioners, describing the actions as positive steps toward improving pensioners’ welfare.
In Oyo State, Abatan said the NUP recognises Governor Seyi Makinde’s consistent payment of pensions and gratuities, noting that the state disburses over N2 billion monthly to retirees.
However, he expressed concern over the approach of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, who, according to him, has only been releasing N100 million periodically for gratuity payments. He said the amount is insufficient and the payment irregular.
Abatan also raised objections to the formation of a parallel pensioners’ association in Ekiti State, known as the Pensioners Association of Nigeria (PAN). He said the group lacks legal backing and undermines the operations of the NUP.
“There is no other state where such an organisation exists. It is not recognised by law. This development has resulted in the government withholding check-off dues that rightly belong to NUP,” he stated.
He urged Governor Oyebanji to restore the dues and disband the parallel association, describing its creation as divisive and detrimental to the interests of pensioners in the state.
