The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Taraba State has criticized Governor Agbu Kefas for failing to implement the N30,000 minimum wage for retirees, despite his public pledge to begin payment in June 2025.
State Chairman of the union, Comrade El-Nathan Bila, described the governor’s unfulfilled promise as a “serious disappointment” and a “slap in the face” of pensioners who have long endured hardship.
Speaking in Jalingo, Bila lamented that since the creation of Taraba State in 1991, successive administrations have failed to implement minimum wage adjustments for pensioners. He noted that federal directives on pension reviews, including the 33% increase with arrears approved in 2014 and consequential adjustments from the N18,000 minimum wage in 2019, have been ignored in Taraba, even though they are being enjoyed in most states nationwide.
“While civil servants in Taraba are benefiting from the N30,000 and even the N70,000 minimum wage, pensioners have been left behind,” Bila said. He also accused the government of mishandling gratuity payments, citing an unresolved backlog of over N80 billion. According to him, although Governor Kefas initially promised to release N2 billion to offset arrears for retirees of 2013, only N100 million was later disbursed, allegedly to “a selected few junior retirees.”
The NUP chairman warned that pensioners, who he described as a significant voting bloc across Taraba, will not hesitate to use their numbers to influence the 2027 elections. “Pensioners are not hunting dogs for anybody. We will mobilize and support any reliable person from any party or religion without fear or favour,” he stated.
Treasurer of the union, Mrs. Agnes Fumlak, also condemned the neglect of pensioners, stressing that retirees face higher financial burdens than serving workers as most struggle with health conditions while lacking access to their entitlements. Another pensioner, Sale Yerima Sozon, reminded the government that Section 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution mandates pension reviews every five years or alongside salary adjustments, lamenting that politicians’ allowances receive priority while pensioners are sidelined.
He recalled how pensioners were courted by politicians before the 2023 elections but abandoned once the government assumed power. “This will serve as an eye opener and a big lesson for pensioners ahead of 2027,” Sozon warned.
