…….says Governor Oyebanji has been magnanimous to Ekiti Pensioners
The leadership of the Pensioners Association of Nigeria, PAN, has faulted the claim by the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Ekiti State, Mr. Temitope Popoola, that retirees are suffering under the leadership of Governor Oyebanji.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti, Chairman of PAN, Mr. Joel Akinola, confirmed that the claim was misleading, untrue, and false.
The statement reads: “The attention of the leadership of Pensioners Association of Nigeria (PAN) Ekiti State has been drawn to the false accusations against Ekiti State Government that Pensioners in Ekiti State are poorly treated. We wish to state that this is an entire opinion of a group of partisan individuals who are seeking relevance in the political realignment happening in Ekiti State.
“These retirees are hereby advised to allow peace in Ekiti State so that Governor Oyebanji could do more for Ekiti Pensioners. He is our son, and he has been faithful in the fulfillment of his promises to better our lots.
According to Akinola, NUP Chairman, Temitope Popoola, is a partisan retiree working for some agents with the aim of causing confusion and blackmailing the government. He explained that the dictates of PAN Constitution prohibit members of the Association from partisan politics but confirmed that some of the Pensioners led by Popoola are not only representing their greedy interests, they are possibly sponsored to destabilize Ekiti State.
“We shall therefore appeal to the Security Agencies to invite them for proper scrutiny. Ekiti State should not be turned to a land of rancour and acrimony.”
Akinola highlighted some of the following benefits pensioners have enjoyed from the State Governor within his first term: regular and prompt payment of monthly pensions, payment of inherited unpaid pensions of 7 months and 3 months for Local Government and State Pensioners respectively, liquidation of inherited ₦48 billion gratuity debts to less than ₦20 billion, increase of ₦20,000 in pension to every pensioner, free health care for all Ekiti Pensioners, supply of bags of rice and maize as palliatives to Ekiti State Pensioners, especially to the very vulnerable ones among us.
Others are payment of outstanding check-off dues of 5 months owed by the previous administration, personal donations of over ₦20 million towards the construction of the Pensioners Guest House, Along Ilawe Road, Ado Ekiti, supporting the celebration of Pensioners Day with Ekiti Pensioners in 2023 and 2024, donation of 18-seater A/C Toyota Bus for Ekiti Pensioners in 2024, payment of ₦20,000 Christmas pension bonus to every Pensioner in December 2025, appointing a pensioner as a Special Advisor on Pension Matters.
“We are yet to see a State Governor in Nigeria that is so Pensioners-friendly as His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO). Ekiti Pensioners are solidly behind the administration of BAO, and no sponsored partisan group of Pensioners can stain this relationship.
“We want to appeal to the Governor to ignore them and be more focused on the betterment of Ekiti Pensioners.”
