Abia Pensioners Desperate, Seek Divine Help Over Unpaid Benefits

Abia Pensioners Seek Divine Intervention for Unpaid Benefits

Abia State pensioners, frustrated by unpaid pensions and gratuities, have turned to prayer and fasting. They are urging Governor Alex Otti to fulfill his campaign promises.

Under the aegis of the Abia Pensioners’ Forum, the pensioners concluded a three-day spiritual exercise on Wednesday. They appealed to Governor Otti to honor his pledges.

Forum coordinator Okey Kanu stated that the exercise aimed to seek divine intervention in their plight. He accused the current administration of attempting to waive their arrears through an alleged illegal agreement with the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

Kanu argued that this decision was based on incorrect advice and urged the governor to reconsider. He emphasized the importance of correcting errors rather than perpetuating them.

He further claimed that the government had violated the agreement, which required mutual negotiation in case of disputes. He pointed out that the state NUP Exco denied entering into any such agreement, and Governor Otti’s stance on the matter remains unclear.

The pensioners proposed three alternatives: immediate payment of all arrears and gratuities, payment in installments, or leaving the arrears for a future administration. They emphasized the unfairness of waiving these entitlements after 35 years of service.

Pastor Success Obinya of the City Liberation Centre urged the pensioners to trust in God’s intervention. Retiree Nzimiro Nwokocha lamented the inhumane treatment of pensioners in the state.

The pensioners concluded the session with prayers for Governor Otti, Abia State, and Nigeria, seeking divine intervention to remind the governor of his promises and grant them justice.