The Northern Forum of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) says only four out of 19 northern states have complied with the federal government’s directive to pay N32,000 minimum monthly pension.

Speaking during the forum’s zonal meeting in Kaduna State, the NUP Chairman, Comrade Mohammed Sali, described the situation as “deeply unfair” to elderly citizens who had dedicated decades of service to the nation.

“Only four states now are paying this minimum of N32,000 out of 19. Many states are still paying as little as N3,000, N4,000, or N5,000, which is very wrong,” Sali said.

He stressed that the forum would adopt dialogue rather than confrontation in pushing states to comply.

“We are not confronting any state. Confrontation is beyond our age. We are your fathers; do you want to see your fathers running on the street from tear gas? We will go from one state to another in dialogue,” he stated.

Sali disclosed that Adamawa State is already on the verge of implementing the N32,000 minimum pension.

“Our governor has set up a technical committee, and they have finished their work. We are only waiting for his approval to start the payment,” he said.

The forum’s Secretary, Alhassan Balarabe Musa, also condemned the disparity between the pensions of retirees and the benefits enjoyed by politicians.

“If a politician, after just four or eight years, receives huge benefits, what of the pensioner who served for 35 years or more? Some states like Taraba pay N3,000, Katsina N5,000, Zamfara the same. It is very unfortunate,” Musa lamented.

He noted that Kaduna State remains the only state in the Northwest paying N30,000 but urged Governor Uba Sani to raise it to N32,000 in line with the federal directive.

The forum vowed to intensify consultations until all states in the region comply with the N32,000 minimum pension standard. (Daily Trust)