Pensioners in Benue State, under the Concerned Pensioners Association, on Wednesday staged a protest over the non-payment of long-standing gratuities and pension arrears, some dating back to the year 2000.
The group, a breakaway faction of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners registered in 2022, defied heavy rainfall as they marched along Naka Road, carrying placards expressing anger over unpaid entitlements and worsening living conditions.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Governor Alia, you have buried pensioners with unpaid gratuities since June 2023,” “Pay 38–62 months pension arrears and 25 years gratuities,” and “Pensioners are dying, settle our entitlements.”
Speaking during the demonstration, the Chairman of the association, Akosu Orban, said the protest stemmed from what he described as unfulfilled promises made by Governor Hyacinth Alia during the 2022 political period.
He explained that the group was considering occupying the Government House in the coming days if their demands were not addressed.
According to him, the pensioners are demanding payment of outstanding arrears ranging from 38 to 62 months for state and local government retirees, harmonisation of pension structures as provided under the Constitution, and an end to what they termed unfair treatment in pension disbursement.
Orban also alleged irregularities in pension administration, accusing state actors of colluding with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the process.
Responding to questions on why the group contributed funds to support the purchase of the governor’s nomination and expression of interest forms, Orban said the decision was taken in expectation that the governor would honour his promises.
He, however, expressed disappointment, saying the move had turned out to be regrettable given the current situation of retirees.
“Today, we regret that decision. Some pensioners who retired years ago are still receiving as little as N2,000 monthly,” he said, lamenting that many members were facing severe hardship.
The pensioners appealed to President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene and urge the state government to address their plight.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government said it inherited pension and gratuity liabilities estimated at over N300 billion, describing it as the highest in the country.
The Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Michael Oglegba, said in a telephone interview that the administration was making efforts to clear the backlog despite limited resources.
He noted that while the government was prioritising payments, it could not immediately offset all outstanding obligations.
According to him, retirees who left service from 2023 have been receiving full gratuity payments, while older arrears are being addressed gradually as funds become available.