Adebayo Adenrele
…as ex-chairman forms parallel association
Some members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ekiti State Chapter have dissociated from the Union over alleged irregularities and constitutional breaches.
These aggrieved members , from 10 local government areas across the state cited mismanagement of over N41 million of Union’s funds and other irregularities by the current administration under the leadership of Popoola Adetona.
Recalled that the State Chapter has been enmeshed in serious crisis following an inconclusive election in 2024, which led to the removal of Joel Akinola as the chairman and appointment of Popoola Adetona as caretaker chairman.
This action fueled tension with some aggrieved members of Union from ten local governments, parastatals and agencies forming a parallel union known as Pensioners Association of Nigeria (PAN).
The new Union led by the former Chairman, Joel Akinola was officially constituted and unveiled on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking with journalists, Akinola said they are breaking out of NUP over some irregularities which include: mismanagement of over N41m of Union’s funds, open exhibition of abuse of power and greed by the caretaker chairman, lack of concern by caretaker committee for the welfare of Ekiti pensions.
He continues, “We are we leaving NUP over forceful imposition of Caretaker Committee members on Ekiti Stat Pensioners, lack of concern by the Caretaker Committee for the welfare of the suffering Ekiti Pensioners, frivolous spending of the Union’s funds on unnecessary journeys to various States and Abuja at will.
“Tarnishing the integrity of Ekiti State Pensioners by sponsoring damaging messages and programs on radios and other social media, illegal promotion of the State Secretary to Level 15 within a spate of three months while receiving pension and bogus allowances, converting NUP to be business venture of the State Secretary’s family.
“Disrespect to Constitutional Authorities in-charge of Pensions and Labour matters in Ekiti State, irregular appointment of Popoola’s daughter to the NUP as a staff, unconstitutional recruitment of SAC members without recourse to the authority of the Union at State level.
“Conversion of Union’s official vehicles to engage in personal business ventures, using the security agents to harass and intimidate Pensioners, creating unnecessary divisions among Pensioners.
“Illegal recruitment of delegates to conduct election outside the jurisdiction of the Headquarters, illegal connivance of Elder Ayo Kumapayi, a national officer, with this misrule at the expense of the Pensioners in Ekiti State for his selfish financial gains and deliberate failure of the Caretaker Committee to conduct the State election, which was its primary assignment.
“In view of these irregularities, Constitutional breaches, and their refusal to listen to experienced meditators in Pension and Labour matters, we cannot fold our arms and allow our members who have been enjoying the benevolence of the state Government to continue to suffer untold hardship”.
