By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The leadership of the Nigerian Union of  Pensioners, NUP, has disassociated the union from the former Chairman of the Federal Civil Service pensioners branch, Sunday Omeize over his ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay N25,000 wage award to pensioners in order not to risk protest.

The NUP in a statement issued by its national president and general, secretary, Godwin Abumisi and  Actor Zal, respectively, among others, said : “Our attention has been drawn to the press conference held by one Mr. Sunday Omeize, former Chairman, Federal Civil Service pensioners branch (whose tenure has expired since July 2022), where he erroneously and arrogantly referred to himself as the President General of the Association of Federal Civil Service Pensioners of Nigeria

“This is nothing but an arrogant statement from a drowning man who is only battling for survival. The pertinent question to ask is, who was he speaking for? Who elected or appointed him as the leader of the Federal Civil Service Pensioners? 

“It is not our intention to join issues with him because it would tantamount to prejudice as the issue of expiration of his tenure in office is currently being challenged at the National Industrial Court, awaiting judgement. Our main reason to put this press release is to debunk his threat of protest against the Federal Government.

“In the same vein, this self-acclaimed President General threatened the Federal Government that he will mobilize and bring out all Federal pensioners to demonstrate against the non-implementation of the N25,000 wage award for pensioners. 

“While the pensioners all over the country are eagerly waiting for the Federal Government to fulfil its promise in this direction to ameliorate their suffering, as Senior Citizens we would rather engage the government in constructive dialogue rather than demonstration.

“We hereby call on the relevant security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities by putting behind the bars anyone that threatens the existence of the fragile peace that has eluded our country, Nigeria.

“For records, we wish to categorically state that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has only one constitutionally recognized National President in the person of  Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi who is hale and hearty, going about his normal trade union business. Therefore, for Mr. Sunday Omeize to arrogate or refer to himself as the ‘President-General’ of the Federal Civil Service pensioners, smacks of impersonation which is punishable by law.

“We therefore call on our disturbed teeming members to remain calm and law abiding, as we urge the Federal Government to disregard the unwarranted call by Mr. Sunday Omeize to incite pensioners against the Federal Government by way of protest over the non-payment of the promised wage award of N25,000 to pensioners, the power which he does not possess.

“In any case, we wish to take advantage of this press release to once again passionately appeal to our amiable, compassionate listening President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise up to the occasion by fulfilling his promise to the pensioners on the payment of the long overdue wage award, having paid that of workers for five months down the line.

“We wish to reiterate for umpteenth time, that Sunday Omeize is not our leader as his tenure of office as the branch chairman of the Federal Civil Service Pensioners has expired since July 18th, 2022.”

Vanguard News