Federal pensioners threaten nationwide naked protest

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has warned that it will stage a nationwide naked protest on October 6 if the Federal Government fails to implement pension increments and palliatives

National Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Mukaila Ogunbote, issued the warning during a press conference on Tuesday in Lagos. Ogunbote, who also heads the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NIPOST Chapter), said pensioners had given the government until September to settle arrears, implement the approved increments, and release palliatives.

He said failure to act would leave pensioners with no option but to hit the streets unclad, a move meant to symbolically expose the government’s neglect and highlight their plight.

Ogunbote recalled that in October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved N35,000 for workers and N25,000 for pensioners as palliatives, but while workers were paid within a month, pensioners are still waiting nearly a year later.

He added that workers have since received additional palliatives for ten months, but pensioners’ requests for six months’ worth remain unmet. Ogunbote also revealed that Tinubu had directed an N13,000 pension increase, but the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General have yet to implement it.

“When we enquired, we were told our N32,000 increment was omitted from both the 2024 and 2025 budgets. This is injustice,” he said.

Other retirees echoed similar frustrations. Mr. Fashola Oluwo, a former Federal Ministry of Information staffer, called for questioning of officials responsible for ignoring the President’s directive. Mrs. Dupe Ogunniyi of FRCN appealed to the First Lady to intervene, noting that many pensioners are supporting unemployed children and depend solely on their pensions.

Former Lagos NUP Chairman, Mr. Adebola Akinduture, said hunger was the root of their anger. “We are hungry. Food is medicine, yet without it, medicine is meaningless. Pensioners are starving,” he declared.

He vowed that pensioners would take to the streets naked on October 6 if their demands were not met.

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