BENUE PENSIONERS LAMENT 25 YEARS OF UNPAID BENEFITS, REGRET FUNDING GOVERNOR ALIA’S NOMINATION FORMS

BENUE PENSIONERS LAMENT 25 YEARS OF UNPAID BENEFITS, REGRET FUNDING GOVERNOR ALIA’S NOMINATION FORMS

Hundreds of pensioners in Benue State on Wednesday staged a protest over long-standing unpaid gratuities and pension arrears, expressing deep frustration over what they described as years of neglect by the state government.

The protesters, under the Concerned Pensioners Association, Benue State chapter, defied heavy rainfall as they marched along Naka Road, carrying placards with inscriptions demanding payment of arrears spanning several decades. The group is a splinter faction of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, registered in 2022.

Some of the placards read: “Gov. Alia pay us 38–62 months pension arrears, 25 years gratuities, harmonisation” and “Pensioners are dying, pay our arrears and entitlements,” reflecting the severity of their grievances.

Speaking during the demonstration, the association’s chairman, Akosu Orban, said the protest was triggered by the government’s failure to meet commitments allegedly made to pensioners since 2022. He added that members were also aggrieved over what they described as poor implementation of pension reforms and outstanding entitlements.

The protesters threatened to occupy the Government House in the coming days if their demands were not addressed, insisting on the payment of outstanding arrears, harmonisation of pensions in line with constitutional provisions, and resolution of what they termed irregularities in pension administration.

In a notable revelation, Orban said the group regretted contributing funds used in purchasing the governor’s nomination and expression of interest forms during the build-up to the 2023 election, stating that the gesture was made in anticipation of improved welfare for pensioners.

“Yes, it’s from our contributions that the union got the money to join hands with the motorcycle association to purchase the governor’s return nomination and expression of interest forms with the hope that he will redeem the pledges he made,” he said.

He added that despite the gesture, many pensioners were still receiving as little as ₦2,000 monthly, describing the situation as unsustainable amid rising living costs.

Responding to the protest, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Michael Oglegba, said the state was grappling with inherited liabilities estimated at over ₦300 billion in unpaid pensions and gratuities from both state and local government levels.

He stated that while the administration is making efforts to reduce the backlog, limited financial resources have slowed full settlement of outstanding entitlements. According to him, the government has continued partial payments and has cleared gratuities for those who retired from 2023 to date.

The protest highlights ongoing tensions in Benue State over pension liabilities, as retirees continue to demand urgent government intervention to address long-standing financial obligations.