Gratuity: Pensioners’ forum alleges payment shortfall - Punch Newspapers

The Abia Pensioners’ Forum, a pressure group under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abia State Council, has commended Governor Alex Otti for commencing payment of gratuity to pensioners, but raised concerns over alleged short-payments, delays gratuity disbursement and lack of transparency in the entire exercise. The Coordinator of the forum, Okey Kanu, and Secretary, Emma Onyenyiri, in a statement recalled that Otti had during his electioneering in 2015, 2019 and 2023 promised to clear arrears of pension and gratuity owed by previous administrations, a promise it said attracted massive support from pensioners and their families. The group noted that after assuming office, the governor initially promised to clear the arrears on or before December 2023, but the promise suffered several postponements leading to the controversial Memorandum of Agreement through which pensioners were said to have waived their arrears. According to the Forum, following public outcry, the governor on February 22, 2025 promised to revisit the agreement, but later clarified in his September 2025 Media Chat that the revisit was for gratuity only, claiming no pensioner was being owed pension arrears, a claim the Forum described as a “shocker” and challenged the government to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to verify. On the ongoing gratuity payment for retirees between 2001 and 2010, the Forum said it appreciates the governor for summoning the political will to commence payment, but expressed worry over the implementation.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The statement partly read, “Information received from our beneficiary members in that batch being attended to indicates that more than half of them have not been paid as of today after one month of commencement of the payment; and that the other half that have been paid received lesser amounts than they are entitled to. Some got more than N100,000 shortfall”. The Forum also alleged that the Desk Office established by government to receive complaints is not functional, leaving elderly pensioners being tossed between the Office of the Head of Service and the Office of the Accountant-General. It urged government to be transparent by publishing names of beneficiaries in each batch and the amount payable to each pensioner as contained in their authorisation letters. Kanu rallies Enyimba fans amid crisis Otti, Achebe caution Ohanaeze against partisan politics Abia prepares for ‘solemn assembly’ as electioneering heightens The group faulted statements credited to the Commissioner for Information that “disbursement is in tranches and will be gradual” and that there will be “priority to oldest arrears first,” questioning whether the N10 billion earmarked for the 2001-2010 batch is insufficient. It noted that the current slow pace contradicts Otti’s July 2026 Media chat where he said the N10 billion was “sitting in the bank awaiting reconciliation.” The Forum further rejected the plan to stretch gratuity payments to 2031, describing it as a disservice to pensioners. It argued that the governor never mentioned instalment payment or extension to 2031 when he made promises in 2015, 2019, 2023, and on December 31, 2023 when he even promised to approach the House of Assembly for special fund approval if needed. “Stretching the payment to 2031 is another way of denying pensioners these retirement benefits, not only because of its uncertainty, but also that the value would have been eroded and many more pensioners may not be alive,” the Forum said. It cited Governor Otti’s August 27, 2026 broadcast marking Abia at 35 years, where he said payments will continue “as resources become available,” describing the conditional tense as disturbing. It also argued that the extension could not be justified given improved federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal, noting that former Anambra Governor Peter Obi paid N32 billion at once in 2007. The group appealed to Otti to show empathy and humanity to pensioners who have endured years of denial. Ogbonnaya Ikokwu Ogbonnaya Ikokwu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with 17 years of professional experience. He has served as a correspondent covering Abia State since 2015 and focuses on governance, human rights, justice, and equity. Ogbonnaya’s work reflects strong organizational skills, editorial discipline, and a commitment to objective and responsible journalism.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.