AfriPulse
Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has issued a stern ultimatum, threatening a nationwide “naked protest” on October 6 if the government fails to address unpaid pension increments and palliatives.
The announcement came during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, led by the coalition’s National Chairman, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, who also heads the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter.
Ogunbote stated that pensioners had set a September deadline for the government to clear outstanding arrears, implement pension increases, and disburse palliatives.
“Failure to comply will leave us no option but to stage a naked protest across the country to expose the government’s neglect,” he warned, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He explained that the protest would symbolically reflect the dire situation pensioners face.
Highlighting the disparity in treatment, Ogunbote noted that in October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved N35,000 palliatives for workers and N25,000 for pensioners. While workers received payments within a month, pensioners are still awaiting theirs nearly a year later.
Additionally, workers have received further palliatives for ten months, while pensioners’ requests for six months’ worth remain ignored.
Ogunbote also revealed that a promised N13,000 pension increase has not been implemented, with officials claiming it was excluded from the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
“This is injustice,” he declared.
A retiree from the Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Fashola Oluwo, called for accountability, urging scrutiny of officials who failed to act on the President’s directive.
He emphasized the inadequacy of the proposed increment amid Nigeria’s soaring cost of living, noting that many pensioners cannot afford essential medications, and some have died awaiting their dues.
A pensioner from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mrs. Dupe Ogunniyi, made an emotional plea to the First Lady to advocate for retirees, many of whom support unemployed graduate children and depend solely on pensions.
Meanwhile, Mr. Adebola Akinduture, former Lagos NUP Chairman, underscored the severity of their plight, stating, “We are hungry. Food is medicine, yet without it, medicine is meaningless. Pensioners are starving.”
He reiterated the coalition’s resolve to protest naked if their demands are not met by October 6.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
