The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Abia State has unequivocally rejected claims by Governor Alex Otti’s administration that all pension arrears have been settled. The union is demanding a review of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), accusing the government of dishonesty and coercion.
In a press conference held on October 25, 2024, the Abia State branch of the NUP provided a detailed account of their ongoing struggle since the signing of the MOA earlier this year, revealing that the government has failed to fulfill its promises.
The union claims that upon taking office, Governor Otti committed to clearing all outstanding pension arrears owed to retirees by December 2023. However, a subsequent verification process revealed that the actual amount needed had ballooned from N10 billion to N30 billion. In response, the governor proposed a new payment framework based on percentages of the arrears owed, but the union insisted on revisions, seeking a higher payout for pensioners.
Following a series of meetings between the NUP executive and government officials, no clear resolutions emerged. The union expressed disappointment with the government’s handling of the matter, accusing it of stalling, dishonesty, and trying to coerce pensioners into waiving their entitlements.
The NUP’s stance intensified after discovering that only 10 months of pension arrears from the current administration had been paid, while 45 months of arrears from previous administrations remain outstanding. They further accused the government of pressuring them to sign an MOA that falsely asserted pensioners had waived their rights to these arrears and gratuities.
During the press conference, NUP leadership, led by State Chairman Elder Chukwuemeka Irondi, demanded that Governor Otti either honor his campaign promises or openly admit that his administration will not address the outstanding debts. The union also called for a review of the MOA within the provisions for dispute resolution outlined in the document and has sought support from both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the national body of the NUP.
Despite numerous letters and appeals, the NUP claims they have been unable to secure a direct audience with the governor, raising concerns that pensioners are being overlooked in favor of other government priorities.
They acknowledged the governor and his administration for ensuring that pensioners receive their monthly payments as promised, reaffirming their desire for a timely resolution to this issue.
