Nigerian pensioners voiced their dismay on Thursday over their exclusion from the newly constituted Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, expressing concerns about the dire consequences of their omission.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) revealed that approximately 1,500 pensioners have suffered due to the harsh economic conditions and high cost of living in the country.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Nigeria Henry Mbachu, representing Awka South 1 Constituency, highlighted the challenges faced by pensioners, citing instances of members perishing out of hunger and receiving meager monthly pensions as low as N450.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, NUP President Comrade Godwin Abumisi condemned the exclusion of pensioners from the committee, emphasizing the importance of their representation in matters affecting their welfare.
Abumisi warned, “I want to say it clear and I want you to write it, I am going to lead Nigerian pensioners naked. I mean naked. When we are going to protest, we are going to go naked on the streets. Write down this so that the world will see it, Nigerian pensioners are going to demonstrate naked.”
He further stated, “For records, the NUP is the only legally recognized body and voice of the entire civil and para-military pensioners in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the dire circumstances faced by pensioners, Abumisi called for urgent action, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint NUP leadership to the Committee.
The NUP proposed a national minimum pension of One hundred thousand (100,000) naira to align with the proposed N200,000 National Minimum Wage by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Furthermore, NUP warned of mass protests across the country, particularly in Abuja, if their demands were not addressed by the Federal Government.
Despite promised palliatives and wage awards, pensioners lamented that they had yet to receive relief, leaving many in a state of hopelessness and deprivation.