The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has vowed not to vote any government or governor owing its members pension and gratuities.
The Union of Pensioners in the Southwest Zone said state governors owed pensioners trillions of Naira in each respective states.
The Public Relations Officer of the Union, Olusegun Abatan relayed their decision to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital at the end of the Union’s quarterly meeting.
Abatan said that the pensioners in the Southwest Zone of the country were not well taken care of, adding that it was important to vote for credible and compassionate leaders who would understand and address the plights of the pensioners.
The Union spokesperson, who lamented ill-treatment of the pensioners, identified the need to restructure and establish the ministry of Elders’ Affairs just like the ministry of sports and youth development as well as the ministry of women affairs.
He urged the Federal and State Governments to restructure the systems in order to establish the ministry of Elders Affairs to tackle the issues of non-payment of pension to the elderly so as to enable them cater for themselves.
“The union is advocating for restructuring of system which is less expensive, to ensure the release of money for the development of the country while taking care of the elderly ones and pensioners,” Abatan said.
“All state governments in the South-west owe pensioners trillions of naira; we are not talking of billions but trillions of naira.
“Salaries of workers were increased in 2010, many of the state governors throughout the federation did not increase pension except Lagos and Ondo states.
“Salaries also increased in 2019; over three years now, no southwest state governor has implemented the adjustment for pensioners to benefit from.
“All pensioners must vote but what we are saying and want to emphasize is that pensioners should not vote for those state governors and governments which are owing them; that is to say that we are going to have a trial of another person or government,” he added.
Abatan called on the Southwest state governments to as a matter of urgency hold consultation with pensioners and do the needful.
He also opined that if government truly wanted to tackle corruption in the civil service, it was important to take care of pensioners.
He explained that salaries and emoluments of public office holders should be reduced and the country’s presidential system of government restructured.
Nneka Ukachukwu
