Broken promises: FENRAD slammed Abia State government over unpaid pensions

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD Nigeria) has expressed deep concern over the continued non-payment of pension arrears and gratuities to retired civil servants in Abia State — a development that threatens to erode public confidence in the administration of Governor Alex Otti and undermine the goodwill the government enjoyed at inception.

According to the Executive Director
FENRAD Nigeria, Comrade
Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, it will be recalled that during the 2023 governorship campaign, Dr. Alex Otti made clear and repeated promises to prioritize the welfare of pensioners and to clear all outstanding pension arrears and gratuity payments owed to retired workers.

“This commitment inspired widespread hope among senior citizens and workers nearing retirement. Today, FENRAD is alarmed that many retirees in the state still live in hardship and despair, awaiting the fulfillment of that promise. The non-payment of pensions arrears is not only a governance failure but a moral and humanitarian concern, considering that many affected retirees are advanced in age, medically vulnerable, and dependent on these entitlements for survival.

“It is particularly disheartening that, despite several public appeals by notable individuals and the leadership of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) urging Governor Otti to commence the process of offsetting the pension arrears and gratuity backlog, no meaningful action has been taken to date. These calls, made respectfully and in good faith, have unfortunately gone unanswered, leaving pensioners feeling abandoned and betrayed,” he lamented.

FENRAD emphasized that pensions and gratuities are earned rights, not privileges.

“They are the legal and moral entitlements of individuals who have spent the most productive years of their lives in public service. The persistent delay, coupled with a lack of clear communication or action plan, constitutes a breach of the social contract between the government and its citizens.

“We cannot continue to allow our elders to suffer indignity and neglect after decades of loyal service. Many are now living in penury, unable to afford medication, basic needs, or shelter — while still awaiting long overdue payments,” he explained.

FENRAD reminds the Abia State Government that campaign promises are not optional — they are solemn commitments that form the basis of democratic legitimacy.

“The administration must not squander the public trust it has been given, especially by those who voted based on hope for a better and more compassionate government.

“We therefore call on the Abia State Government to immediately publish a detailed, transparent roadmap for clearing the backlog of pension arrears and gratuities, including specific timelines; commence phased payments without further delay, beginning with the oldest and most medically vulnerable retirees.

“Engage directly with the National Union of Pensioners and relevant stakeholders to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability, introduce pension reforms that will make the system sustainable and efficient, preventing future occurrences.

“A society that fails to care for its elderly has lost its moral direction. It is not too late for the administration of Governor Alex Otti to take decisive and compassionate action to restore dignity to our senior citizens”, he stated.

FENRAD stands in solidarity with all affected pensioners in Abia State and will continue to advocate until justice is served and promises are fulfilled.