Oyo State pensioners on Monday converged on the state secretariat to protest the non-payment of their pension arrears in the past five months amounting to N2.9 billion.

The aggrieved pensioners who had come to vent their frustration in front of the Office of the Executive Governor of Oyo State could not hide their chagrin and frustration as officials, representing the governor who was not in the office, told them that the state was broke.

CEOAfrica reporter heard those who were at the rear among the pensioners pelting expletives at Governor Ajimobi describing him as a worthless leader who is insensitive to the plight of pensioners in the state.

As shouts of “Ajimobi ole” rented the air, the atmosphere was so grim that many of them refused to speak with our correspondent, but those who reluctantly granted their audiences related their woes.

 One of them said, “The government has refused to pay us our pensions and gratuity even when they know that many of us are dying. They told us to be patient even while they are living in the midst of plenty. It is, indeed, painful.

Another one said, “I don’t have a piece of land let alone a house. Is it not appalling that with the number of years I spent in service, I have nothing to fall back on. We have children who have obtained bachelor and master’s degrees, but still they are unemployed. They depend on us for their sustenance in the midst of nothing. They need to see to our plight.

“In the U.S.A, your pension is paid as at when due and you will be notified by the post master. We don’t know why the same cannot be done here. I retire from service many years ago having worked for 20 years.

“Some of my colleagues were in service for 35 years and up till now their gratuities are yet to be paid. Every now and then, they tell us Nigeria is broke.  The honourables receive mouth-watering allowances while we are suffering.”

A co-retiree, who also voiced her grievances, said, “We just want our pension and gratuity. Our children have become the children of other families all because we could not cater for their necessities.”

In a similar vein, one of the very aged among them said, “Many of us are hungry and poverty-stricken. Our sweat is a curse on Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Many of our colleagues have died while many others are bed-ridden. One of my colleagues died of whitlow because he could not afford just N200 to buy the medication.  

“Governor Ajimobi is yet to pay gratuities to retirees since he came into the saddle in 2007. We implore the public to lend us their voice of solidarity as the government has no excuse for leaving us in this sorry state.”