The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has threatened to seek legal redress against the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment over what it described as the “illegal” registration of a new retirees’ body, warning that the move could destabilise decades of unity within the pensioners’ movement.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) on Monday in Abuja, the National President of NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, said the union would not hesitate to challenge the ministry’s action in court if necessary.

Abumisi, in a strongly worded address, accused the ministry of a deliberate attempt to fracture the pensioners’ structure through the recent registration of the Association of Retirees of State Government, which he described as a parallel body.

“It is already a public knowledge that the ministry recently registered a body called ‘Association of Retirees of State Government’, which is a calculated action by the ministry to destabilise the unity, solidarity, power of collectivity and the peace that has been reigning within the rank of the union for decades,” he said.

He argued that the action contravenes the provisions of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T.14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, insisting that the union would resist any attempt to undermine its legal standing.

“It is incontrovertible that the action of the ministry contravenes the provisions of the Trade Unions Act. This we should all rise up to prevent and resist with vigour,” Abumisi declared.

The NUP president described the NEC meeting as a “rescue mission” convened in response to what he termed “ugly developments” threatening both the internal cohesion and external stability of the union.

“Our meeting of today is a call for a rescue mission in preventing our union from being plunged into avoidable internal and external crises, especially by the untoward activities of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” he stated.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the ministry’s action, Abumisi maintained that NUP remains committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, noting that the union has historically maintained a cooperative relationship with successive administrations.

He specifically acknowledged recent pension reforms and fund releases under the current administration, including N58 billion for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners and N758 billion for contributory pension increases, which he said had provided relief to members.

“NUP, from its inception, has been peaceful, peace-loving and cooperative with all successive Federal Governments of Nigeria… and we remain grateful for the ongoing reforms in the nation’s pension industry,” he said.

Despite these gains, he warned that recent developments pose serious risks to the union’s unity and relevance, urging members to remain focused and avoid divisive tendencies.

“I want to appeal for objective contributions from members, devoid of any tribal, political or sectional sentiments that may end up threatening our unity, our image and our continued relevance,” he cautioned.

Reaffirming his leadership commitment, Abumisi recalled his second-term pledge to strengthen the union, saying, “My mission remains to leave NUP better than I met it.” (Nigerian Tribune)