Pensioners in Abia State have called on Governor Alex Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to them, insisting that they will not forfeit their outstanding entitlements from the state government.

The pensioners, under the aegis of the Abia Pensioners Forum, made the demand on Monday while addressing journalists in Umuahia.

They criticised the state government over what they described as “the continued plight of pensioners in Abia State and the continued refusal by the State Government to fulfil her several promises in this regard.”

Led by their Coordinator, Okey Kanu, the pensioners accused the Otti administration of reneging on an agreement to liquidate their outstanding pension and gratuity arrears.

They recalled promises made by Otti during his electioneering campaigns in 2015, 2019 and 2023, expressing disappointment over the governor’s response to a pensioner who asked whether gratuity payments would commence by the end of July 2026 as previously promised.

The pensioners said the response had left many of their members hopeless.

They therefore appealed to the government to begin immediate payment of their retirement benefits, even if gratuity payments were prioritised.

“We therefore urge Government to, as a matter of urgency, start immediate payment of these retirement benefits, even if she wants to start with gratuity,” they said.

The forum also dismissed reports that the pension arrears inherited by the Otti administration had been fully cleared.

The pensioners said many of their colleagues had died without receiving the benefits owed to them, while those still alive needed the money to meet basic needs, including food, medication and other health-related expenses.

“As at today, many pensioners have died without receiving these benefits. Those still alive need this payment to feed, buy drugs and attend to other subsistence needs and health challenges. Others need these payments to start or complete their projects, especially their retirement homes,” they said.

The pensioners also questioned the reported payment of entitlements to former local government chairmen and councillors who served for only two years under previous administrations.

“Ironically, since last year, former Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who served only two years under previous administrations have been paid their entitlements by the present administration. What an injustice that pensioners who retired after 35 years of service or on attaining 60 years of age are treated with levity, disdain and ignominy,” they said.

They urged Governor Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to pensioners and the wider Abia population.

They added that pensioners deserved to benefit from the development being recorded in the state while they were still alive.

They also appealed to the state government to ensure that issues surrounding pension and gratuity arrears were not exploited by individuals or groups for political purposes.