Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Tuesday received a delegation from the National leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), led by its National President, Mazi Godwin Abumisi, and reiterated his commitment to resolving the protracted pension issues in the state.
During the meeting at Government House, Umuahia, the NUP national leadership formally apologized to Governor Otti on behalf of the Abia State chapter of the union and appealed for a review of the pension agreement previously signed under contentious circumstances. The Governor, in response, expressed his willingness to revisit the matter, acknowledging that some of the pension arrears date back over a decade.
Governor Otti directed his Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Comrade Godson Anucha, to lead a negotiation committee that includes key government officials such as the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu; Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma; and Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi.
“I don’t have the full picture yet, but I believe that where there is the will, there is always a way to solve problems — and I assure you, the will is here,” Governor Otti said, reaffirming his commitment to pensioners’ welfare.
The Governor also addressed the circumstances surrounding previous failed engagements with the Abia NUP leadership, stating that he had personally initiated discussions to resolve pension debts but was met with misrepresentation and dishonesty. “It’s not about denying mistakes; it’s about learning from them. But you must not lie,” he said.
Governor Otti recalled that after evaluating the state’s overwhelming debt burden upon assuming office, he secured N10 billion to offset pension arrears. According to him, pensioners owed less than one million naira were paid in full, while others with higher arrears received up to 60 percent of their entitlements.
Speaking earlier, NUP National President Mazi Godwin Abumisi commended Governor Otti’s performance in governance, describing him as a “star performer” and praising his visible strides in infrastructure, salary payments, and pension reforms. He admitted that the Abia NUP’s previous agreement with the state government was signed without proper understanding and pleaded for forgiveness.
“I am here to plead with you to tear that document. They did not know what they were signing. Your Excellency, please forgive them,” Abumisi said.
The meeting, which had in attendance top government officials, ended on a conciliatory note, with both parties expressing hope for a renewed partnership in addressing the plight of pensioners in Abia State.
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