The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South-West Zonal Council, has threatened legal action against governors in the region for failing to follow the constitution’s provision on pension increment.
NUP said in a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Waidi Oloyede and Sunday Akin, that it would take action if the 33.4 percent pension increase and subsequent pension adjustment for 2019 were not addressed by November 30.
“Sections 210(3) and 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution state that pensions should be enhanced whenever workers’ salary and pay are increased, or every five years, whichever comes first,” the union added.
The NUP also stated that it has addressed letters to the governors in the region informing them of the resolution of its meeting on September 16 to take the governors to court if the pension increases were not implemented.
“At its meeting in Ado-Ekiti on September 16, 2021, the South-West leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners observed that these articles of the constitution have always been held in breach by governors in Nigeria,” according to the statement.
“This has resulted in inequitable pension payments, with certain pensioners in various states, including here in the South-West, earning as little as N330 per month.” Hundreds of our retirees have been affected by this transgression, which has resulted in destitution, crippling ailments, and even death.”
Only the state governments of Lagos and Ondo in the South-West area had implemented the 33.4 percent pension hike of 2010, according to the NUP, while Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun had not.
According to the union, in 2019 there was another wage increase of N18,000 to N30,000, with corresponding adjustments to workers’ salaries and wages, which was brought to the governors’ attention.
“At this time, no action or word has come from the governors suggesting that they want to execute the increase,” the pensioners expressed their disappointment. In order to avoid short-changing pensioners, governors in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun who have not implemented the 33.4 percent pension increase of 2010 should do so before the implementation of the consequential adjustment of pension 2019.”
