NEWS
Pension Crisis: Ekiti Retirees Form New Union To Tackle Welfare Issues
A faction of pensioners in Ekiti State has parted ways with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and formed a new organisation called the Pensioners Association of Nigeria (PAN).
The move comes amid claims of neglect and mismanagement by NUP leaders.
Joel Akinola, who now chairs PAN in Ekiti and was previously the state NUP chairman, said the new group was created out of frustration with how NUP officials handled pensioners’ concerns.
“We are former NUP members, but we found that the NUP officials at the state level have been a hindrance to our welfare.
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“They are self-centred, greedy, and indifferent to members’ needs,” Akinola said during a gathering in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
He said that his past leadership achievements, particularly his focus on members’ welfare, had motivated pensioners from more than ten local government areas to align with PAN.
According to him, the fallout with NUP officials began when he pushed for reforms they did not support.
Akinola stated that certain NUP leaders, including the State Secretary—a permanent staff member—worked against him by fabricating allegations to prevent him from seeking re-election.
“When I assumed office in 2029, pensioners in Ekiti State were owed N41 billion in unpaid gratuities, seven months’ arrears of local government pensions, and three months’ arrears of state pensions,” he recalled.
He accused some NUP executives of showing little concern for the plight of pensioners, especially state retirees.
“But the self-serving NUP leaders were unconcerned because they had already received their gratuities; most are federal pensioners unaffected by Ekiti’s pension issues. They simply collect their dues and ignore the plight of state pensioners,” Akinola said.
He credited the progress made during his tenure to the support received from Governor Biodun Oyebanji. “We are fortunate to have a pensioner-friendly governor, Biodun Oyebanji, [who] treats us like parents, enabling our achievements.”
Highlighting his administration’s track record, he said: “What we accomplished in four years surpasses what they achieved in 29 years. We made possible what they thought impossible.”
Akinola also raised concerns about a secretive probe into his tenure, alleging that a financial report was produced without his input or knowledge. “Are we in unionism to be destroyed like this?” he asked.
Reaffirming PAN’s presence in the state, he declared, “PAN is here to stay,” and pledged to lead the group independently of what he described as “wolves and vultures” who have hijacked the NUP.
In response, Azeez Agbaje, the NUP State Secretary, dismissed the breakaway group and described its members as rebels.
“The only legitimate union is NUP. Those running a parallel administration will face consequences. It is a blatant violation of the NUP constitution. The National Headquarters will impose sanctions in due course,” Agbaje warned.
He further noted that the delay in state NUP elections was due to disruptions caused by the same aggrieved individuals.
“These individuals were part of the defunct executive committee. After four years, they failed to account for their stewardship. The delegates’ conference rejected their financial report, leading to an investigative panel and the postponement of elections,” he explained.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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