Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened to embark on a nationwide naked protest on November 24 if the Federal Government fails to pay their outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.
The coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, made this known during a news conference in Lagos.
Mr Ogunbote, who also chairs the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said the protest would hold if the government fails to fulfil its promise to pay the N32,000 approved pension increment arrears and the N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.
He noted that pensioners in the diaspora had expressed solidarity with their counterparts in Nigeria and would participate from their respective countries, making it a worldwide protest.
Mr Ogunbote appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the funds.
He lamented that many pensioners had died, while others continued to suffer due to hardship, poor feeding, and the inability to afford medical care.
He stated that pensioners were promised payment within two weeks of the approval, yet nothing had been done, warning that if payment was not made by November 23, the planned protest would go ahead the following day.
The pensioners’ leader lamented that while workers had received their allowances, retirees were left out, describing the situation as unfair.
He urged the government to make the payments before December to enable pensioners to prepare for the Christmas season.
Mr Ogunbote also criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress for not providing sufficient support to the pensioners in their demands and further appealed to the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General to release the funds urgently, as many retirees were struggling to survive.
The President of the Civil Service Pensioners, Francis Oluwo, said officials around President Tinubu were not carrying out his instructions as directed.
He urged the Federal Government to act swiftly, noting that many retirees were in poor health and living in difficult conditions.
Mr Oluwo said the planned naked protest was intended to pressure the government into taking action on the payment of arrears.
Bridget Obieto, Assistant Secretary of the Voice of Nigeria Pensioners Association, called on the Nigeria Labour Congress to use its influence to support the pensioners’ demands. She stressed the need for better welfare and compensation for workers who had served the nation for decades and appealed to the government to prioritise their needs above other expenditures.
She further appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to ensure the prompt payment of arrears before December so pensioners could celebrate the festive season with dignity.
Elijah Akindutire, Chairman Emeritus of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, also called on the government to pay the arrears to enable pensioners to feed and live decently.
He urged a massive turnout for the protest on November 24 to demonstrate the pensioners’ determination.
