Pensioners’ union demands sanctions for governors owing pension, gratuity of retirees

The Nigerian Union of Pensioners has called for sanctions on state governors who fail to pay the pension and gratuity of retirees.

The pensioners also called on the National Assembly to pass a law that would compel governors to pay pensions as and when due.

The National President of NUP, Godwin Abumisi, made the call while speaking at the recent Pensioners’ Day Celebration which held at the Labour House, Abuja, and appealed to the President, Muhammadu Buhari not to relent in making gratuity and other entitlements a priority.

The union leader bemoaned the governors for acting like emperors and making lives unbearable for citizens.

Abumisi said, “Our major challenges have been with the governors, many of whom have become emperors in their various states. They govern with iron hands in a democratic setting as ours.

“Many of them collapsed governance instruments together under their palm as the one-man all-powerful governor.

“I wish to place on record that the payment of monthly pension to pensioners is a right, not a privilege. “Unfortunately, the constitution does not prescribe any punishment for such errant governors who treat pensioners with disdain,’’ he lamented.

However, the pensioners in Ekiti State have appealed to the President, Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to create special ministries to cater for the welfare needs of senior citizens across the country.

The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti State Branch, Joel Akinola, explained that the need for creation of special ministry at the state and federal levels was for pensioners to have a voice and be properly catered for in the society.