Pensioners in Southwestern Nigeria has vowed not to vote any governor owing them pensions and gratuities in the coming 2023 general elections.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Southwest Zone, Mr Olusegun Abatan, stated this while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the pensioners in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Abatan explained that pensioners in the southwest were not well taken care of, saying that it was important to vote for someone that would understand and take care of the plights of the pensioners especially in the southwest.

He added that southwest governors are owing pensioners in the neighborhood of trillions of naira.

“Salaries of workers were increased in 2010 , many of the state governors throughout the federation did not increase pension except Lagos and Ondo state.

“Salaries also increased in 2019, over three years now, no southwest governors has implemented the adjustment for pensioners to benefit,” he said.

Abatan called on Southwest State governments to as a matter of urgency hold consultation with pensioners and do the needful.

He also opined that if government truly wanted to tackle corruption in the civil service, it was important to take care of pensioners.

Abatan, also the Secretary of NUP in Oyo state, explained that salaries and emoluments of public office holders should be reduced, saying that the country’s presidential system of government should be restructured.