By Nkechinyere Ewa
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged its members and their families in Ebonyi State to mobilise support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election in 2027, citing his administration’s clearance of outstanding pensions and gratuities dating back to 1996.
The union made the call on Thursday in Abakaliki, presenting Nwifuru with an award as the Most Pensioner-Friendly Governor in recognition of his administration’s efforts to improve retired workers’ welfare.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, represented by his Deputy, Abdulahi Onuh, described the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears spanning three decades as an exceptional achievement.
He said the governor had distinguished himself by regularly paying pensions and settling obligations to retirees.
Onuh, who compared Nwifuru’s performance with that of other governors, said he was particularly impressed by the development, adding that the planned inclusion of pensioners in the state health insurance scheme would further ease their financial burden.
He urged pensioners to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by voting for him in the 2027 governorship election, while encouraging them to mobilise their children, in-laws and other family members to support his re-election bid.
Earlier, the Ebonyi State Chairman of NUP, Comrade Anna Ibiam, said successive administrations had left many retired workers struggling with unpaid pensions and gratuities until Nwifuru assumed office.
She lamented that some pensioners died without receiving their entitlements but noted that the current administration had changed the situation through regular pension payments and clearance of outstanding gratuities.
Ibiam said the union had unanimously resolved to honour and endorse Nwifuru for a second term, describing his administration as the most pensioner-friendly in the South-East.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu, commended the pensioners for recognising the governor’s interventions and urged them to demonstrate their appreciation through their votes in 2027.
Responding, Nwifuru, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezuruike, expressed appreciation to the union for the honour and endorsement.
He assured pensioners that his administration would sustain efforts to improve workers’ and retirees’ welfare, urging them to translate their endorsement into electoral support by mobilising their families and communities ahead of the 2027 election.