Alia urges Benue pensioners to sheaths planned protest, vows to clear unpaid pensions arrears by January ending

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr.  Hyacinth Alia, has appealed  pensioners in the State to sheath their planned protest, promising to pay all outstanding pensions and gratuities accrued to them within the last two and a half years before the end of January 2026.

The governor gave the assurance on Sunday while speaking with journalists after an interdenominational church service at Deeper Life Bible Church, High Level, Makurdi, held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

The governor assurance followed a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Benue State, threatening a two-day peaceful protest in Makurdi over unpaid pension arrears, gratuities and the non-harmonisation of pensions.

He maintained that his administration has consistently prioritised the welfare of civil servants and retirees since assuming office, stressing that salaries, pensions and gratuities have been paid regularly.

“We have been paying gratuities because I take the welfare of my staff and all civil servants very seriously. In the last two and a half years, I have never missed the payment of salaries and pensions, including gratuities,” he said.

According to him, while attention was initially focused on clearing approved arrears, deliberate efforts were being made to ensure that all retirees within the period of his administration receive their entitlements.

“For those within the last two and a half years who have not received their gratuities, they will receive them in a matter of days. All gratuities within this period will be paid.

"Payment of other outstanding pension and salary arrears would continue in line with available financial inflows.  My government remains committed to meeting its obligations to workers while maintaining financial stability.

“I have no reason not to pay civil servants. They work for the state, and this is the only livelihood they know. That is why we do this deliberately and diligently,” Alia alluded.