The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it described as a bid to fragment the union, warning that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s registration of a new retirees’ association violates extant labour laws and threatens decades of unity among pensioners.
Speaking at an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja, NUP National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said the union was alarmed by “disturbing developments” capable of plunging it into avoidable crises if left unchecked.
Abumisi described the NEC session as “a rescue mission” aimed at safeguarding the stability of the union.
He said: “Our meeting today is borne out of great concern and deep worry over ugly developments within our union. It is a call to action to prevent NUP from being dragged into unnecessary internal and external crises.”
At the centre of the dispute was the ministry’s recent registration of the Association of Retirees of State Government, which the NUP leader characterised as unlawful and destabilising.
“It is public knowledge that the ministry has registered a body called ‘Association of Retirees of State Government’. This is a calculated attempt to undermine the unity, solidarity, and collective strength that have sustained our union for decades,” he stated.
Abumisi argued that the move contravenes the provisions of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, insisting that it must be resisted.
“It is incontrovertible that this action violates extant labour laws. We must rise to resist it with all legitimate means.”
The NUP president said the alleged breach of the law forms the basis of the union’s appeal to President Tinubu, urging swift intervention to preserve the legal and institutional integrity of the organisation.
Despite the concerns, Abumisi reaffirmed the union’s cordial relationship with the Federal Government and commended the Tinubu administration for recent reforms in the pension sector.
“NUP has always remained peaceful and cooperative with successive governments, particularly the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He specifically lauded the approval of N58 billion for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners and N758 billion for pension increases under the contributory scheme, noting that the measures have brought relief to retirees.
“These interventions have provided much-needed succour and helped to ease the hardship faced by our members.”
However, he cautioned that such gains could be undermined if actions capable of weakening the union are allowed to persist.
Abumisi also urged members to remain united and avoid divisive tendencies that could erode the union’s credibility.
“I appeal for objective contributions devoid of tribal, political, or sectional sentiments that could threaten our unity, image, and relevance.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the union’s progress, he added, “My goal remains to leave the Nigeria Union of Pensioners stronger and better than I met it.”
