Pensioners lament plot to break union, seek Tinubu’s intervention

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it described as an attempt to fragment the union, warning that the registration of a new retirees’ body by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment violates existing labour laws and threatens the unity of pensioners nationwide.

The alarm was raised by the NUP National President, Godwin Abumisi, during an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council held in Abuja on Monday. He described the development as “disturbing” and capable of plunging the union into avoidable crises.

“Our meeting today is a call for a rescue mission in preventing our union from being plunged into avoidable internal and external crises,” Abumisi said, attributing the situation to “the untoward activities” of the ministry.

At the centre of the controversy is the recent registration of the Association of Retirees of State Government, which the union insists is a calculated attempt to weaken its long-standing structure.

“It is already public knowledge that the ministry recently registered a body… which is a calculated action to destabilise the unity, solidarity, power of collectivity and the peace that has been reigning within the ranks of the union for decades,” he stated.

Abumisi further argued that the move contravenes provisions of the Trade Unions Act Cap T.14, stressing that the legality of the ministry’s action forms the basis of the union’s appeal to the President.

“It is incontrovertible that the action of the ministry contravenes the provisions of the Trade Unions Act… This we should all rise up to prevent and resist with vigour,” he declared.

Despite the strong criticism, the union maintained that it enjoys a cordial relationship with the Federal Government and commended the Tinubu administration for recent pension reforms.

Abumisi specifically praised the approval of N58 billion for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners and N758 billion for contributory pension increases, noting that the interventions have brought relief to retirees facing economic hardship.

“NUP… has been peaceful, peace-loving and cooperative with all successive Federal Governments… most especially the current administration,” he said. “We would continue to be grateful for the ongoing reformation in the nation’s pension industry… which has greatly provided succour.”

However, he warned that such progress could be undermined if actions perceived as violating labour laws and threatening union cohesion are not addressed urgently.

The NUP president also cautioned members against internal divisions, urging them to remain focused and avoid sentiments that could weaken the union.

“I want to appeal for objective contributions from members, devoid of any tribal, political or sectional sentiments that may end up threatening our unity, our image and our continued relevance,” he said.

Reaffirming his leadership commitment, Abumisi added, “My driving force remains to leave NUP better than I met it.”

The development signals a potential labour dispute that could test the balance between regulatory authority and union autonomy in Nigeria’s pension sector, especially at a time when retirees continue to grapple with rising living costs and delays in pension payments.