The umbrella body of pensioners in Taraba State, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has issued an ultimatum that, by the end of September 2025, should the state government fail to fulfill its promise of implementing the N30,000 minimum wage to them, they would be left with no option but to disrupt administrative activities in the state.

The pensioners have also warned that their members will first relocate to the TY Danjuma House, where Governor Agbu Kefas is operating, to begin their protest by the set date.

They also threatened to mobilize other pensioners against Governor Kefas if he continues to neglect them and subjects them to penury.

El-Nathan Bila Auta, the state NUP Chairman, who was addressing newsmen on its plight in Jalingo, said that pensioners would besiege the seat of power to press home their demands if nothing is done.

“Although we pray it doesn’t come to that, if nothing happens by the end of this month, we will carry the good, the bad, and the ugly among us, including our most vulnerable and sick, and make the Government House our abode until justice is done.

“If the governor wants to chop us up, let him do that,” Bila declared.

Auta, however, lamented the failure of past and present governments in the state to implement pension adjustment, adding that retirees in the state are facing untold hardship as a result.

The NUP chairman warned that pensioners have a significant voting bloc across Taraba and will not hesitate to use their numbers to influence the 2027 elections.

“Pensioners are not hunting dogs for anybody. We will mobilise and support any reliable person from any party or religion without fear or favour.

“Governor Agbu Kefas had, in June 2025, pledged to begin payment of N30,000 minimum wage for retirees.

Although Governor Kefas initially promised to release N2 billion to offset arrears for retirees of 2013, only N100 million was later disbursed, alleging that only a selected few junior retirees were paid from the N100 million.

“While civil servants in Taraba are benefiting from the N30,000 and even the N70,000 minimum wage, pensioners have been left behind,” he said.

The federal government directives on pension reviews, including the 33 percent increase with arrears approved in 2014 and consequential adjustments from the N18,000 minimum wage in 2019, have been ignored in Taraba. (LEADERSHIP)

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