Pensioners in Ogun State today stormed the Oke-Mosan office of Governor Dapo Abiodun to protest their unpaid gratuities
Reports showed that this is the third time in about four months the pensioners under the aegis of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN) will be protesting to demand their entitlement asking Gov Abiodun to pay their N68 billion outstanding gratuities.
In September, the pensioners had blocked the two main gates of the Oke-Mosan secretariat in Abeokuta, locking out the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi during their demonstration.
Also in June, the senior citizens clashed with some security agents, who shut them out of the secretariat when they were advancing towards the Governor’s office.
On Thursday, the retirees, took to the streets once again to demand an audience with Gov Abiodun as they stormed the state secretariat around 9am
The aggrieved retirees met stiff resistance from security operatives, in an attempt to shut the two gates leading into the seat of power and the security personnel made frantic efforts to stop the protesters from shutting down the exit points leading to shoving and pushing between both parties.
However, the retirees overwhelmed the security men and locked up the gates. For about 30 minutes, took over the gates and prevented all entry and exit from the state secretariat.
Addressing the protesters, the Head of Service, Dr Nafiu Aigoro, said the government would ensure a comfortable post-retirement life for its local government pensioners, irrespective of the challenges they now face.
On the pensioners’ request to meet with Abiodun for a formal dialogue, Aigoro assured that “Within the next couple of weeks, we would get an audience with the Governor to resolve all outstanding issues.”