Reverse decision erasing 45 months’ Abia pensioners’ pension, NUP tells Otti

THE Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has written to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, appealing for a reversal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that led to the erasure of 45 months’ worth of pension arrears and gratuities owed to retirees in the state.

In a letter signed by NUP National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, and General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union acknowledged Governor Otti’s commitment to pensioners by ensuring prompt payment of monthly pensions since June 2023.

However, they argued that the MOU, signed between the state government and the Abia State NUP Council, was executed in error and has generated discontent among retirees.

“The union officials signed the MOU in error, but with genuine intention and not to discredit your administration in any way,” the letter stated, urging the governor to set aside the agreement and order a review.

NUP insisted that pension payments and gratuities should not be tampered with to the detriment of retirees, as provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “Majority of pensioners disagree to forgo their legitimate entitlements because there was no consent among the members to waive their hard-earned rights,” the letter added.

The union further appealed to Governor Otti to pay the balance of the 45 months wiped out and ensure the payment of the forgone gratuities. “We appeal to you to accept our plea and completely re-examine the earlier areas of pensions paid to the retirees in percentage and pay the remaining balance,” NUP urged.

While commending the governor for reversing the policy of pension percentage payments imposed by the previous administration, NUP emphasized that pensions are a right and not a privilege.

“It is on record that before your administration came to power, Abia State pensioners were virtually not paid their monthly entitlements and at some point, they were even paid in percentage, which is against the extant law that guarantees payment of pension as a RIGHT and not a privilege,” the statement noted.

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