Federal pensioners have vowed to protest naked nationwide on October 6, accusing the government of neglecting arrears, increments, and palliatives promised by President Tinubu.
The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened to stage a nationwide naked protest on October 6 over unmet welfare demands.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, the coalition’s national chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, said the planned demonstration would symbolically expose government failures. He noted that pensioners had given authorities until September to clear arrears, approve increments, and release palliatives.
Ogunbote lamented that while workers received a N35,000 palliative within a month of President Bola Tinubu’s approval in October 2023, pensioners were still awaiting their N25,000 package. “When we enquired, we were told our N32,000 increment was omitted from both the 2024 and 2025 budgets. This is injustice,” he said.
Other retirees echoed his concerns. Fashola Oluwo of the federal information ministry said many pensioners cannot afford essentials, while Dupe Ogunniyi appealed to the First Lady to intervene, citing retirees’ responsibility for unemployed children and meagre stipends.