Pensioners in the Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State have pledged to mobilise support for the re-election of Governor Agbu Kefas in the 2027 governorship election, citing the regular payment of pensions and gratuities as one of the major reasons for their decision.

The pensioners, under the leadership of the Bali branch chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Musa Adamu Bali, said the governor’s administration had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of retirees and serving public workers through the prompt payment of pension obligations and the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The group made its position known on Thursday when it urged Governor Kefas not to necessarily bring his campaign train to Bali Local Government Council, arguing that his record in office was sufficient to secure the support of the electorate ahead of the 2027 election.

According to the pensioners, the regular payment of pensions and gratuities has restored confidence among retirees who, in previous years, were often confronted with uncertainty over when their entitlements would be paid.

They also commended the state government for paying the minimum wage alongside pensions, describing the development as an indication that the administration was placing the welfare of workers and pensioners among its priorities.

Abdulrahaman said the improved welfare situation had also generated renewed interest among public servants approaching retirement, noting that some workers were now willing to retire rather than remain in service beyond their productive years because they were more confident about receiving their retirement benefits.

Beyond pension matters, the pensioners listed several ongoing and completed projects which they said had strengthened their support for the governor.

Among the projects they cited was the ongoing total renovation of the Bali General Hospital, which they said would improve access to healthcare services for residents of the area when completed.

They also commended the remodelling of the council lodge, describing it as part of the administration’s efforts to improve public infrastructure and the working environment within the local government area.

Security and the governor’s free education policy were also highlighted by the pensioners as areas in which they believed the administration had made significant interventions.

The group said the free education initiative had the potential to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians while giving children from less privileged backgrounds greater access to basic education.

With the 2027 election still ahead, the pensioners said they were prepared to move beyond verbal endorsement by organising themselves at the grassroots and canvassing votes for the governor.

They pledged to mobilise their members, engage communities and persuade eligible voters to support the continuation of the Kefas administration.

The pensioners’ declaration, as noticed by The Guardian, adds to the growing political mobilisation around the 2027 governorship election, with groups and political actors increasingly assessing the performance of the present administration and positioning themselves ahead of the contest.

For the Bali pensioners, however, the regular payment of their entitlements remains a central measure of government performance and a key factor behind their decision to back Governor Kefas for another term.