Pensioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) from South West zone, on Thursday, threatened to institute legal action against the 36 state governors over their failure to pay accumulated arrears of gratuities and pension in the country. The pensioners who issued a two-month ultimatum to the state governors across the nation in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which stated that it is u unlawful to owe them their entitlements. Kumapayi attributed the failure of many state governors to pay pensioners gratuities and pension regularly on reckless spending on humongous salaries and allowances of political office holders. The Southwest NUP commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the huge step taken recently to grant local government financial autonomy, saying the decision would prevent many state governors from spending local governments’ funds nationwide as pocket money. Also speaking, the National Deputy General Secretary of NUP, Chief Joseph Okunade said the national leadership of the Pensioners was in full support of the legal action against the state governors.

Source: Nigerian Tribune May 24, 2019 11:44 UTC