Abeokuta, Ogun State – April 8, 2026

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to its members to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in the 2027 general elections to remove leaders who have not prioritised the welfare of citizens.

The union’s Public Relations Officer for the South-West zone, Olusegun Abatan, made the call during a zonal meeting held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday.

Abatan stressed that the PVC remains the only powerful tool available to pensioners and other citizens to vote out governors and leaders who have failed to look after the people and to elect individuals with integrity.

The Oyo State NUP Secretary lamented the prevailing economic hardship in the country, blaming it on bad leadership and what he described as “the worst” people ruling the nation.

“As I speak, the rate of inflation has skyrocketed as a result of increase in energy, that is, increase in petrol and diesel, to the effect that many people are finding it more difficult to have means of livelihood,” he said.

He added that Nigerians were already suffering before the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, noting that the situation has only worsened.

“Before the Iranian war, Nigerians were suffering. There is nothing we can put on the table that Nigerians are enjoying from this government. It has now been exacerbated by the war between Israel and Iran,” he stated.

Abatan observed that while many countries around the world are taking steps to cushion the effects of hardship on their citizens, the Nigerian government is yet to introduce any meaningful relief measures.

“Many countries of the world are finding ways of alleviating the suffering of their citizens. Some even have started subsidizing how workers should go to work and the rest. As we speak, it is quite unfortunate that the Nigerian government has not woken up to what should be done for the citizens of this country,” he said.

He particularly criticised some South-West state governments for failing to pay outstanding gratuities to pensioners, revealing that some members are still being owed since 2011 — a period of 15 years.

“The money that should have been collected in 2011, even if it was N10,000 in 2011, it is no more worthwhile in 2026 and is quite unfortunate that these governments or governors go about as if nothing is happening,” Abatan added.

The NUP PRO further stated that the current situation where “the worst of us are ruling the best of us” has made life difficult for citizens, adding that things would be better if competent leaders were in charge.

He urged pensioners who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so immediately, saying the 2027 elections provide an opportunity to hold leaders accountable.

“To pensioners and even to citizens of this country, the season of election is here. I want to advise, particularly our pensioners, that have not gotten their voter’s card, to go and do it because this is what you can use to send away the governors that are not taking care of you, particularly those governors that want to do a second term. And for those that are coming, let us shine our eyes. Let us know their antecedents,” Abatan said.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of NUP South-West Zone, Waidi Oloyede, identified the non-implementation of the Consequential Adjustments of Pensions in line with the 2019 Federal Government circular as one of the major problems facing pensioners in the zone.

The appeal by the union comes as economic hardship continues to bite harder on retirees and other vulnerable groups across the country.