The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has endorsed Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for a second term in 2027, citing his administration’s reported clearance of outstanding pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 1996.
The union announced its endorsement on Thursday in Abakaliki during a ceremony where it presented Nwifuru with an award as the Most Pensioner-Friendly Governor.
The NUP National President, Godwin Abumisi, represented by his deputy, Abdulahi Onuh, praised the governor for addressing years of unpaid retirement benefits, describing the reported clearance of the backlog as a significant achievement.
“Clearing pensions and gratuity of pensioners from 1996 till date is not a small number of years. The governor has written his name in gold,” Onuh said.
He also commended the state government’s plan to extend its health insurance scheme to retired workers, describing it as another step towards improving pensioners’ welfare.
However, Onuh urged Nwifuru to implement the approved N32,000 minimum monthly pension for retirees in the state, saying pension harmonisation and periodic increases should be treated as rights rather than privileges.
He called on Ebonyi pensioners to support the governor’s re-election bid, urging them to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to express appreciation for the administration’s interventions.
“You are indebted to the governor. Use your PVCs and show him appreciation by voting for him in the 2027 general election,” he told the pensioners.
Pensioners recount years of unpaid entitlements
The Ebonyi State NUP Chairman, Anna Ibiam, said retired workers had endured years of unpaid pensions and gratuities before the Nwifuru administration.
She said some pensioners died while waiting for their entitlements, but maintained that the current administration had improved their circumstances through regular monthly pension payments and the reported clearance of outstanding gratuity arrears.
“Your Excellency, you came and changed our story. You not only pay our monthly pensions regularly and promptly, you did what many thought was impossible—you cleared the backlog of gratuity from 1996 to date,” Ibiam said.
She added that pensioners in Ebonyi were now experiencing improved welfare compared with what she described as continuing difficulties among retired workers in some other South-East states.
Ibiam said the union’s endorsement was intended to recognise the governor’s interventions in the welfare of retired workers.
The Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Emeka Nwonu, also commended the pensioners for recognising the governor’s efforts and urged them to demonstrate their support at the 2027 polls.
Nwifuru promises continued support for retirees
Responding through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezuruike, Governor Nwifuru thanked the union for the award and endorsement.
He assured pensioners that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers and retirees.
Umezuruike described the endorsement as an expression of appreciation for the government’s interventions and urged pensioners to mobilise eligible family members and other voters ahead of the 2027 election.
“One good turn deserves another. What you have demonstrated today is an expression of gratitude, and the governor and the government do not take it for granted,” she said.
The endorsement places the NUP’s support for Nwifuru’s second-term bid on record ahead of the 2027 general election, while the union’s call for implementation of the approved N32,000 minimum monthly pension remains a key demand from the state government.
