…cautions NUP leaders in Ekiti against sponsored attacks
The Special Advisor to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on Pension matters, Pius Owolabi has cautioned the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ekiti State to desist from unnecessary attacks and sponsored publications against the Governor.
Owolabi stated this in a rejoinder to an earlier publication allegedly sponsored by some pensioners in NUP accusing the Governor of backing a new association of Pensioners, Pensioners Association of Nigeria and for withholding their cheque off dues.
Responding, Owolabi explained that Governor Oyebanji has shown love to the elderly citizens since assumption of office saying only Ungrateful elements would speak ill of him.
The statement reads:” It is malicious to say that Ekiti State Governor is dodging payment of Gratuity by divide and rule system among pensioners in Ekiti state.How much pressure did pensioners in Ekiti state made before he joyfully and kindly paid the humongous gratuity he inherited from previous administrations by reducing it from above 40billion naira now to below 20billion within a short period of 2years and few months.What previous administrations could not do in sixteen years.
“The break down of NUP into two factions called NUP and PAN is due to the inability of the Caretaker committee set up by the national body of NUP to settle the crisis in the union to perform their duties as expected. Instead, the Chairman of the committee was fuelling the crisis by frustrating all efforts made by concerned citizens of Ekiti both inside and outside the government to assist in settling the crises.
“It was later discovered that the Chairman’s interest was to turn the position of a regent of which he was to that of a king. He saw that he could only achieve this ambition if the crisis continued.He made sure he blocked all attempts to assist him to settle the crisis.
“NUP members in 12 local governments in the state and 6 parastatals protested against the decision of Caretaker Chairman and his secretary to abandon the list of the elected delegates from the local branches and substitute it with the list compiled in their office for the purpose of rigging the NUP election in favour of the caretaker Chairman. At last,their thoughts and predictions came into reality during the Election.
“The act was seen as a rape of democracy and a breach of the constitution of the union.The aggrieved Pensioners because of their age and maturity, instead of protesting by carrying play cards on the street decided to Pull out of the union to form an association called Pensioners association of Nigeria .PAN.
“The sponsored critics can now see that the formation of PAN is not the handwork of government but that of the aggrieved members of NUP.
“The government, in obedience to the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, has no option than to give the association recognition because the constitution gives room for freedom of association.The association was registered by the relevant agents of the state Government.
“When Ekiti state Government gave financial assistance to NUP in their building project and during their Pensioners day celebration the critics did not complain.The government,state or local is free to give financial assistance to any other union and association for the benefits of their members.What is good for the geeze is also good for the gander.
“The state Government doesn’t need to divide union or association before taking care of workers and Pensioners.The minimum wage approved for workers in Ekiti state recently was one of the best in Nigeria as acknowledged by the state Chairmen of NLC and TUC. BAO is the only Governor in the history of wage increase in Ekiti state that deemed it fit to increase Pension across board.It is not easy for sponsored critics to use lies to rob off facts.
“Apart from regular payment of monthly pensions, a substantial amount of money is also allocated for payment of Pensions monthly in the state, Let us all appreciate what we have now and pray to God to give our Governor good health and more income to the purse of the state to be able to allocate more funds to the gratuity sector.Many welfare projects are also going on in every corner of the state for the benefits of all of us.
No body should link our Governor to the crisis rocking the NUP which is master minded by their own members.The NUP should look inward for the solution to their problems instead of sponsoring critics. Half a word is enough for the wise.
