In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Pensioners Intervention Committee (PIC), Iyke Ohaneje, and Secretary, Charles Amadi, the union expressed deep displeasure with the exercise. The pensioners stated that they are repeatedly forced to queue for capturing during every verification, yet nothing is achieved after wasting their time and money.
According to the union, withholding pensions is an act of negligence and disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stipulates that pensions are not part of a Governor’s appropriation bills and cannot be withheld regardless of whether appropriation bills are approved.
The NUP also noted several anomalies in the payment process, pointing out that the State Accountant General, who is legally mandated to disburse pensions, is no longer in charge of the scheme. The union alleged that those currently managing the payments do not understand the extant laws and rules guiding pension benefits.
“They pay on whims and caprices, devoid of any logical rightness. That is why they claim to pay only those whose benefits are small, thereby breaking their oath of office, which states: ‘I shall do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, ill will or affection.’ This behaviour is also contrary to our national anthem, which reads: ‘God of all creation, grant this our one request; help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed,'” the release added.
“If there is no money to pay everybody, payments should be distributed proportionately. In fact, a government contractor cannot even be audited for such an illegal job. Pensions should not be paid selectively to avoid stressing retirees; they should be paid on a definite date or within a fixed period.”
The pensioners further noted that the government is allegedly creating tension within families by falsely claiming to have paid everyone. According to the union, this misinformation sparks needless crises between retirees, their spouses, and creditors, reportedly leading to misunderstandings and untimely deaths.
Highlighting constitutional provisions, the Imo NUP emphasized that pensions should be harmonized every five years or alongside every salary increase, whichever comes first, to cushion the impact of inflation on the cost of living. However, the union regretted that no harmonization has taken place since 2003, leaving those who retired before the introduction of the minimum wage with meagre monthly payments.
The union added that subjecting senior citizens to frequent, unnecessary verifications shows disrespect to those who gave their best in service to the state. It also condemned the non-payment of death benefits to the families of deceased retirees, noting that the practice violates Igbo cultural values of honouring the dead.
Finally, the NUP maintained that withholding pension payments is unpatriotic and unlawful, as it violates Section 210 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 18 of the Pension Act.
