Pensioners in Enugu State on Tuesday passed a vote of no-confidence on the union’s leadership in the State.
The retired workers, numbering over 500, converged at their secretariat located within the Old Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly, where they unanimously passed a motion against the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Enugu State Council.
They cited embezzlement, selfish interest, lawlessness by the exco led by Mr. Damian Udeani and Mr. John Nebo, as some of the reasons for their action.
The aggrieved ex-workers had also staged a peaceful protest against the leadership, carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as: “render your financial statement of account for the past 12 years; you collect and enjoy our check-off dues without commensurate service; you have deceived pensioners enough; we need a change of leadership.”
While moving the motion, which was unanimously carried by all the retired workers, Comrade Douglas Edeh and Comrade, J.O.C Eheh, declared that “it is only a weak, insecure, paranoid, wicked, heartless, ignorant and lawless leaders like we have in NUP, Enugu State, that will invite thugs to attack pensioners who voice their minds on matters relating to their welfare.
“We had for quite some time now watched patiently the activities of these officers and the style of their leadership and come to the conclusion that most of them exhibit wretched leadership acumen.”
They accused the exco members of flagrant abuse of the union’s constitution as well as lack of transparency and accounting, alleging that “they have refused to render financial statement of account for the past 12 years.
“They have also refused to be calling meetings; they only summon meetings when elections are due, to carry out campaign for their re-election/selection and during Christmas periods to receive the Christmas cash gifts from the State Government for misappropriation.
“In view of the above, we the pensioners in Enugu State unanimously move a vote of no confidence on the officers at the State Council and the other 3 branches of the Union at Enugu main, Abakpa and Nsukka sub-treasury.”
They, therefore, urged the NUP national leadership to set up an 8-man caretaker committee for the Enugu State Council and each of the three sub-treasury to run their affairs pending when fresh elections are held.
The retirees equally called on the Accountant General of Enugu State to put on hold the check-off dues in favour of the Enugu main sub-treasury, Abakpa and Nsukka zones.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the embattled State Chairman, Mr. Damian Udeani said the pensioners lacked the power to remove him from office.
Comments