Abiodun, Ogun Pensioners Clash Over N68bn Unpaid Gratuities

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and the pensioners in the state have clashed over backlog of their gratuities and other entitlements, amounting to about N68 billion.

Abiodun had on Sunday blamed his predecessors, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, for the unpaid gratuities in the state, and told pensioners not to vilify him over the debt.

He said the unpaid gratuities were inherited liabilities from previous administrations.

According to him, if his predecessors had done the same since 2011, more than N16bn would have been defrayed.

In a swift reaction on Monday, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state lashed out at the governor, saying “He who enjoys assets must not disclaim liabilities.”

READ ALSO:

• 2023: INEC Yet To Decide Fate Of Multiple Registrants As CVR Ends
• Man kills sister’s friend over N50,000, buries corpse in room
• Obi, Tinubu divide PDP, APC stalwarts in Enugu

A statement signed by the State Chairman, Waheed Oloyede, and the Secretary, Bola Lawal said Abiodun is bound to offset the debt because government is continuum.

“Prince Dapo Abiodun glorified himself to have paid N2.5 Billion in gratuity out of outstanding N68 Billion with his 3 years in office.

“For Governor Abiodun to have made such a statement that he was not the one who owes the indebtedness is highly unfortunate. Has he forgotten that Governance is a continuum?

“Governor Abiodun is supposed to pay N500 Million quarterly on gratuities. Two quarters are still outstanding for 2022.
Let Governor Abiodun pay all our entitlements including Consequential Adjustment in Pension before he can glorify himself as an achiever; Moreover, we never expected such a statement from the Governor, in view of the fact that the two inaugurated committees on pension are yet to submit their reports,” the statement indicated.