2027: Kaduna pensioners endorse Uba Sani’s re-election
Kaduna Pensioners Union Lauds Governor Uba Sani for Support
KADUNA, Nigeria — The Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed strong support for Governor Uba Sani, praising his administration as “pensioners-friendly” during a courtesy visit on Tuesday. The union commended Sani for providing over 21 billion naira for the payment of outstanding gratuities and death benefits over the past three years.
During the event, members of the State and National Executive of the union officially endorsed Sani’s bid for a second term, highlighting his commitment to the welfare of senior citizens.
Alhassan Balarabe Musa, the state secretary of the NUP, noted that Governor Sani’s efforts in pension payments are unprecedented in Kaduna’s history. He pointed out that in just three years, Sani’s administration has disbursed more than 21 billion naira, compared to slightly over 37 billion naira paid by the previous administration over eight years.
Balarabe Musa added that pensioners in Kaduna are now receiving their entitlements in a timely manner, contrasting with previous delays that often saw local government pensions issued weeks late. “In some instances, pensioners receive their entitlements before civil servants receive their salaries, which we truly appreciate,” he said.
The NUP state secretary reinforced the union’s support for Sani’s administration and second-term aspirations, stating, “We are here to tell you that Kaduna State pensioners are 100% behind you.”
Abdullahi Usman Onuh, the Deputy National Chairman of NUP, emphasized the significance of collective support, suggesting that with roughly 16,000 pensioners in Kaduna, each could contribute to Sani’s victory by casting multiple votes.
In response, Governor Sani acknowledged the importance of senior citizens in the governance structure, stating, “Without your hard work, none of us sitting here would be in these positions. Civil service is critical; without it, nothing would function effectively in government.”
Governor Sani affirmed the importance of providing adequate retirement benefits, asserting that doing so not only honors the contributions of pensioners but also motivates current workers. He noted that his administration had previously increased pensions for permanent secretaries by 200% and promised to consider further revisions to meet current economic challenges.
Additionally, the governor announced plans to establish a committee to review monthly pension entitlements to align with inflationary realities. He highlighted that other states look to Kaduna for guidance, indicating that improvements in pension benefits could encourage similar actions statewide.
In a gesture of goodwill, the governor fulfilled a request from the NUP by providing a bus for their members and pledged to allocate land for the union in Kaduna metropolis.
