Abia State pensioners have warned Governor Alex Otti that they will not forfeit their entitlements, urging him to fulfil his promises to pay their outstanding pension and gratuity arrears.
The pensioners, under the aegis of the Abia Pensioners Forum, spoke on Monday while addressing journalists in Umuahia over what they described as the state government’s continued failure to fulfil its promises to retirees.
Led by their coordinator, Okey Kanu, the pensioners accused Otti of reneging on an agreement to liquidate their outstanding pension and gratuity arrears.
They recalled the governor’s promises during his 2015, 2019 and 2023 election campaigns, saying his response to a pensioner who asked about the payment of gratuity by the end of July 2026, as promised, had left them disappointed.
The forum urged the government to immediately commence payment of the outstanding retirement benefits, even if it started with gratuity.
