We’ll Protest Naked If FG Fails To Pay Us

We’ll Protest Naked If FG Fails To Pay Us – Pensioners
They give FG till November 23 to meet their demands.
Leaders appeal to Tinubu to act before Christmas.

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest on November 24 if the Federal Government fails to pay the outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances owed to them.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that at a press conference held in Lagos on Tuesday, the coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, said the government had failed to fulfil its promise of paying the ₦32,000 pension increment arrears and the ₦25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023. Ogunbote, who also chairs the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said the protest would hold if the payments were not made by November 23.

“We were told our arrears would be paid within two weeks of approval, yet nothing has been done. If by November 23 we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on November 24,” Ogunbote warned.

He disclosed that pensioners in the diaspora had also expressed support and would join the protest virtually, making it both a national and global demonstration. Ogunbote appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General to release the funds.

“Many pensioners have died and many more are dying due to hardship. They cannot feed or access medical care,” he lamented.

He faulted the government for paying workers a ₦35,000 palliative while excluding pensioners, who he described as the most vulnerable. The coalition also criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for not actively supporting their demands.

Other representatives, including the President of the Civil Service Pensioners, Francis Oluwo, and Bridget Obieto of the Voice of Nigeria Pensioners Association, urged the government to release the payments before December to enable retirees to celebrate Christmas with dignity.

“We have served this country faithfully for over 35 years. The government must not abandon us,” Obieto said.

Elijah Akindutire, Chairman Emeritus of the NIPOST Pensioners, urged members to turn out massively for the November 24 protest to make their voices heard.

The pensioners remain hopeful that the Federal Government will act before the deadline, but they insist they are fully prepared to protest if the situation remains unchanged.