NIGERIA'S PENSIONERS WILL WITHDRAW FROM 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has threatened to mobilise its
members across the country against the 2015 general elections
over neglect by governments at all levels.
The National President of the union, Dr Abel Afolayan, issued the
threat in Enugu on Monday while briefing newsmen.

Afolayan who was represented by the South East National Vice
President of the union, Dr Emeka Onwumere, listed their
grievances to include non-payment of outstanding arrears of
pensions and gratuities to federal and state pensioners.
He also counted the non-payment of outstanding 33 per cent
pension increment and its arrears which had been paid to military
pensioners as well as the nonchalant attitude toward pensioners’
welfare by state governments.
The president also listed non-harmonisation of pensions, problems
associated with contributory pension’s scheme, verification, fraud
and non-payment of gratuities and arrears to deceased pensioners
as part of their agitation.
“Pensioners have observed that our problems across the country
have been ignored by the concerned government agencies and
functionaries contrary to the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the presidential task force on pensioners’ grievances.
“As a result, we will mobilise our members across the country to
deliberate seriously on how to vote during the 2015 elections.
“The government should realise that Nigerian pensioners are
many and to neglect them is not in the best interest of the country.
“Also, our exclusion from the ongoing national conference and
subjection of pensioners to long drawn budgetary debates at the
federal and state levels are some of our grievances,’’ he said.
He warned that the union would involve the Nigerian Labour
Congress and the Trade Union Congress to stage protests.
Afolayan said it would not be in the interest of the unity, peace and
development of the country if its grievances were not addressed.
The president said that the press briefing was held simultaneously
in the six geo political zones of the country.