Retirees under the Abia Pensioners’ Forum, a pressure group within the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have expressed deep concern over the continued delay in the payment of long-awaited gratuities and pension arrears in Abia State, ABN TV reports.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Wednesday, the group alleged that many retired workers in the state have died, become homeless, or fallen into serious health challenges due to non-payment of their statutory benefits.
Coordinator of the group, Okey Kanu, who spoke on behalf of members, said the affected retirees would never forfeit their entitlements, stressing that gratuities and pension arrears are constitutional rights, not favours.
Kanu described the delay as “inordinate,” noting that the present administration had only cleared 10 months out of the accumulated arrears between June 2023 and March 2024, while inherited arrears from previous administrations remained unaddressed.
The group also faulted claims that pensioners voluntarily accepted a controversial Memorandum of Agreement with NUP leadership in the state to forfeit a portion of their entitlements.
“With each passing month, more pensioners fall into worsening health, depression, and, in many cases, death without receiving what they worked for over 35 years of service. This is a grave injustice,” Kanu said.
The pensioners acknowledged what they described as Governor Alex Otti’s visible strides in infrastructure development but insisted that retirees should be paid fully so they can live long enough to enjoy the benefits.
They also reminded the governor that pensioners voted massively for him in the 2023 election based on assurances that unpaid gratuities and pensions would be cleared once he assumed office.
When contacted by ABN TV, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, confirmed that the government is fully aware of the concerns raised and is already working toward a structured solution.
Ekeoma explained that a comprehensive committee was earlier constituted by Governor Alex Otti to verify records and determine the accurate backlog owed to pensioners.
“The committee just submitted its report a little over a week ago. Because thousands of retirees are affected and arrears date as far back as 2001, the verification needed to be thorough,” he said.
According to him, the total verified outstanding arrears stand at over ₦60 billion, making it necessary for the government to develop a phased payment plan.
“What the government is doing now is determining how payment will be structured—whether some will receive 100% immediately or whether others will receive half until all arrears are cleared. But payment will happen,” he added.
Ekeoma said the verification exercise was necessary to prevent errors, inflated claims, or fraudulent entries.
“It is better if everything is verified once and properly calculated so that nobody is overpaid or omitted when payment begins. The government is on it,” he assured.
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