Pensioners Seek Tinubu's Help Against Union Fragmentation

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), under the leadership of President Godwin Abumisi, has raised alarms regarding attempts to fragment the union and is calling for urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu. During a meeting of the union's national executive council in Abuja on Monday, Abumisi described the situation as disturbing and capable of plunging the union into crisis.

He attributed the current challenges to what he termed "untoward activities" by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, particularly regarding the recent registration of a body for retired state government workers, which he claims undermines the union's long-standing structure. Abumisi emphasized that these actions contravene the Trade Union Act and threaten the unity and solidarity of the pensioners.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the Tinubu administration's recent pension reforms, including the approval of N58 billion for a defined benefit scheme, which has provided relief to retirees facing economic hardship. However, he cautioned that any perceived violations of labor law could destabilize the union's cohesion.