Pensioners Set To Sue South West Governors Over Non-implimentation Of Pension Increment

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South West zonal Council, has threaten a court suit against governors in the region over non-compliance with constitutional provision on pension increment.

This was made known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Waidi Oloyede and Secretary, Sunday Akin on October 25, 2021 in Ibadan.

The union revealed that it would take the south west governors to court by November 30,2021 if the pension increases of 33.4 per cent and consequential adjustment of pension 2019 are not addressed.

According to the union, section 210 (3) and 173 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended) stated that pension should be increased at any time salaries and wages of workers are increased or every 5 years whichever comes first.

It was also stated that letters had been sent out to governors in the region on the decision of its meeting held on September 16 to take the governors to court if they failed to implement the pension increment.

The statement reads:

“The South West leadership of Nigeria Union of Pensioners at its meeting at Ado-Ekiti on September 16,2021 observed that these provisions of the constitution have always been held in breach by governors in Nigeria.

“This as led to inappropriate pension payment with some pensions earning as little as N330 per month in some states even here in the south west.

” This infraction has resulted in poverty, debilitating diseases and even deaths among scores of our pensioners,”

“Up to this moment no action or word has come from the governors indicating that they want to implement the increase.

” For the governors in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun states that have not implemented the 33.4 per cent pension increase of 2010 , it is appropriate that this be done before the implementation of consequential adjustment of pension 2019 in order not to short-change the pensioners.

“At the September 16,2021 meeting of our Zonal council, it was decided that we write to covey to the governors that the south west council of Nigeria Union of Pensioners will take the government of Ekiti,Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Lagos to Court if by Nov.30,2021 the pension increases of 33.4 per cent and consequential adjustment of pension 2019 are not addressed,” he said.

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