Pensioners plan to go against the 2015 general elections

The President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners Dr Abel Afolayan on monday issued the threat in Enugu that the union will  mobilise its members across the country against the 2015 general elections over neglect by governments at all levels.

Dr Abel who was represented by the South East National Vice President of the union, Dr Emeka Onwumere, listed their grievances to include non-payment of outstanding arrears of pensions and gratuities to federal and state pensioners.

Emeka counted the non-payment of outstanding 33 per cent pension increment and its arrears which had been paid to military pensioners as well as the nonchalant attitude toward pensioners’ welfare by state governments.

The president also listed non-harmonisation of pensions, problems associated with contributory pension’s scheme, verification, fraud and non-payment of gratuities and arrears to deceased pensioners as part of their agitation.

“Pensioners have observed that our problems across the country have been ignored by the concerned government agencies and functionaries contrary to the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the presidential task force on pensioners’ grievances.

“As a result, we will mobilise our members across the country to deliberate seriously on how to vote during the 2015 elections. “The government should realise that Nigerian pensioners are many and to neglect them is not in the best interest of the country.

“Also, our exclusion from the ongoing national conference and subjection of pensioners to long drawn budgetary debates at the federal and state levels are some of our grievances,’’ he said.

He warned that the union would involve the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to stage protests.

Afolayan said it would not be in the interest of the unity, peace and development of the country if its grievances were not addressed.