Military pensioners in the country have given President Goodluck Jonathan ultimatum to pay all accumulated pension arrears before January 30, or risk losing the February 14 election.

National President of National Association of Military Pensioners, Major Eromafuru Benson (retd.), gave the ultimatum in Warri on Monday in a statement.

Benson said: “We have waited this far after five years of absolute neglect by your administration; we have been cheated, deprived and treated like slaves and second class citizens in this country.

“It is painful that in spite of all cries, pleading and even begging for what belongs to us, you have heartlessly kept us silent, but the time has come when you can no longer keep us quiet because, if after our 30 days’ ultimatum which will expire on January 30, 2015 you still refuse to pay us, then the 2015 general election coming up in February 2015 will witness horrible incidents, detonation of bombs and explosives that will keep voters restricted to their homes.”

He further stated: “It is not Buhari, Ameachi and other APC leaders that are heating the polity but you and your corrupt leaders whose hope or wish is to take power forcefully even when the 2015 elections are yet to be held.”

He called on all Nigerians to vote out Jonathan for alleged unco-ordinated administration.

The National President warned that the pensioners won’t allow militants to take over Nigeria.

Benson said Nigerians and the world should hold Jonathan responsible for whatever happens to the 2015 election if he takes the union’s threat for a joke.

He advised all military retirees to remain calm and wait for instructions after the expiration of the 30-day ultimatum that would end in January 30.

•Excerpted from a Daily Independent report.