Abia pensioners demand payment of outstanding benefits

Pensioners in Abia State have threatened not to forfeit their entitlements and are demanding that their outstanding pension and gratuity arrears be paid by Governor Alex Otti. The pensioners, representing the Abia Pensioners Forum, accused Otti of reneging on his promises made during election campaigns in 2015, 2019 and 2023. Led by coordinator Okey Kanu, the pensioners addressed journalists in Umuahia, expressing disappointment in the governor's response to a pensioner's request about gratuity payments by July 2026.

The forum urged the government to immediately begin paying the outstanding benefits, even if it started with gratuity. They dismissed claims that the pension arrears inherited by the Otti administration had been cleared, stating that many pensioners had died without receiving these benefits, while the living need them to meet basic needs and health challenges.

The pensioners also expressed concern over the treatment of former local government chairmen and councillors who served under previous administrations, who allegedly received their entitlements, while retirees who served for 35 years or retired after 60 years were being treated "with levity, disdain and ignominy." The forum called on Otti to fulfill his campaign promises and ensure that pension and gratuity arrears were not exploited for political gains.