As Pensioners commemorate the 2021 Pensioners’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has called on state governors to give effect to the circular on the consequential adjustments of pensions that was released by the federal government since two years ago.
The National President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners Comrade Godwin Abumisi made the call in Abuja at an event to mark this year’s pensioners’ day.
Abumisi who accused the state governors of being emperors who govern with iron hands in a democratic setting, while collapsing all the government instruments said that the circular and funding for the consequential adjustment was released by the state governors since April 2019, but up till now, most state governors are yet to give effect to the circular.
He threatened that pensioners will march to erring government houses, if such erring governors refuse to do the needful.
He further appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to appeal to state governors to stop the inhumane treatments to the senior citizens, and also ensure that bail out funds to such states are not diverted.
He said, ”Our major challenges have been with the State Governments, many of whom have become emperors in their various States. They govern with iron hands in a democratic settings as ours.
”Many of them collapsed governance instruments together under their palm as the-one-man all-powerful governor is the judiciary, the legislature and the executive put together.
”I wish to place on records that the payment of monthly pension to the pensioners is a right not a privilege. Unfortunately, the constitution does not prescribe any punishment for such erring governors who trained the pensioners with disdain.”
“Never will it be said again that Nigerian pensioners are spare tyres and they are old enough to die. We shall take our pride of place in this country, and stand firmly to claim our rights from the government of this nation that we have used our youthful strength to serve. Together in unity, we shall achieve our aims,” he said.
Pensioners’ Day in Nigeria is celebrated on December 11 annually. The theme for this year’s Pensioners’ Day is “Enhancement of Pensioners’ Welfare Through Information and Communication Technology”.
