Pensioners in Abia State have called on Governor Alex Otti to fulfil his commitments to retirees, insisting that they will not forfeit their outstanding pension and gratuity entitlements from the state government.

The pensioners, under the aegis of the Abia Pensioners Forum, made the demand while addressing journalists in Umuahia on Monday.

Led by their Coordinator, Okey Kanu, the group criticised what it described as the “continued plight of pensioners in Abia State and the continued refusal by the State Government to fulfil her several promises in this regard.”

The pensioners accused the Otti administration of failing to honour an alleged agreement to liquidate outstanding pension and gratuity arrears.

They recalled promises they said Governor Otti made during his electioneering campaigns in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

The pensioners also expressed disappointment over the governor’s response to a question concerning their expectation that gratuity payments would be made on or before the end of July 2026, as they said had been promised.

They appealed to the state government to begin immediate payment of the outstanding retirement benefits, even if the process would commence with gratuity payments.

“We therefore urge Government to, as a matter of urgency, start immediate payment of these retirement benefits, even if she wants to start with gratuity,” they said.

The pensioners also dismissed reports that the pension arrears inherited by the Otti administration had been completely cleared.

They said some retirees had died without receiving their outstanding benefits, while those still alive needed the money for basic needs, healthcare and other necessities.

“As at today, many pensioners have died without receiving these benefits. Those still alive need this payment to feed, buy drugs and attend to other subsistence needs and health challenges. Others need these payments to start or complete their projects, especially their retirement homes,” the group said.

The pensioners also expressed concern over what they described as unequal treatment, alleging that former local government chairmen and councillors who served for only two years under previous administrations had received their entitlements since last year.

“Ironically, since last year, former Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who served only two years under previous administrations have been paid their entitlements by the present administration. What an injustice that pensioners who retired after 35 years of service or on attaining 60 years of age are treated with levity, disdain and ignominy,” they stated.

The forum further appealed to Governor Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to pensioners and the people of Abia State.

They noted that retirees who were still alive were the ones who could directly benefit from the infrastructure and other developments being undertaken by the administration.

They also appealed to the state government to ensure that the issue of outstanding pension and gratuity arrears was not exploited by individuals or groups for political purposes.