Pensioners threaten nationwide naked protest Nov 24, give FG ultimatum

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has warned that it will embark on a nationwide naked protest on November 24 if the Federal Government fails to settle their outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.

The group’s National Chairman, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, made this known while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

Ogunbote, who also serves as the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), said the planned protest would go ahead if the government does not keep its promise to pay the N32,000 pension increment arrears and the N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.

He said the pensioners in the diaspora had identified with the retirees in Nigeria, hence, would join the protest from their various countries, making it not just nationwide, but worldwide protest.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the funds.

According to him, many pensioner have died and many are dying due to hardship, as they are unable to feed well and get good treatment when ill.

“We were told that our arrears would be paid within two weeks of the approval, yet nothing has been done.

“If by November 23, we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24,” Ogunbote said.

He lamented that while workers had received their own allowances, pensioners were left out.

“Workers received the N35,000 palliative in a month, but up till now, pensioners have not been paid the N25,000 approved for us. We are more vulnerable than anyone else.”

“We are appealing to President Ahmed to intervene in the matter,” he said.

Ogunbote appealed to the government to pay the owed money before December for them to prepare for Christmas celebration.

He criticised the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, for not supporting the pensioners more actively in their request for the payments.

He called for unity among workers to address the injustices perpetrated by the government, adding that government prioritised payment for other purposes while neglecting the pensioners.

He also appealed to the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General to release the owed funds urgently, as many pensioners were struggling to survive.

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