By Afolabi Oyekunle.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State and female governorship aspirant, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu top immediately clear all outstanding pension obligations owed to pensioners and retirees across the state.
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She declared that Lagos has no good reason owing pensioners given its position as Nigeria’s leading internally generated revenue state.
Oyefusi, in a statement on Tuesday, said pension was an entitlement earned through years of dedicated service and should not be treated as a favour, welfare package or political gift.
She described the recent protests by pensioners across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of the state as a serious warning that should receive urgent attention from the government.
According to her, pensioners have raised concerns over outstanding pension adjustments, wage awards and other accrued entitlements, adding that the government must address the issues with concrete action rather than promises.
“Lagos has no business owing pensioners. This is a state with the highest internally generated revenue in Nigeria and the economic capacity to meet its obligations. Those who devoted decades of their lives to building Lagos should not be compelled to protest before receiving what they have earned,” she said.
“The question is why should any properly verified pensioner still be waiting for money that is legally and morally due to them?” she asked.
The ADC chieftain said Lagos had both the financial and institutional capacity to meet its pension obligations, given its strong revenue base and economic position.
She urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to direct an immediate and comprehensive audit of all outstanding pension liabilities and publish a clear payment schedule indicating the number of affected pensioners, total amount owed, categories of outstanding payments, reasons for delays and a definite timetable for settling the liabilities.
Oyefusi said pensioners should not be expected to navigate bureaucratic processes between ministries, departments and government agencies before receiving their legitimate entitlements.
She also called for the full implementation of all approved pension adjustments and wage awards, stressing that pensioners should not have to protest before receiving benefits earned through decades of public service.
The female governorship aspirant described the matter as one of justice and dignity, noting that many of the affected retirees had spent between 25 and 35 years serving Lagos State.
“After a lifetime of service to Lagos State, they deserve nothing less,” she said.
Oyefusi urged the governor to demonstrate the political will to clear all legitimate pension arrears and establish a system that would prevent pensioners from having to protest in the future to receive their lawful entitlements.
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