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APC Condemns Withholding of Pensioners’ Gratuities, Calls on Otti Government to Pay Arrears and Implement Minimum Wage.

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7 days ago

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State having listened to the cries of Abia pensioners through a press conference held recently has described as wicked, heartless and an embarrassment to the state, the intentional withholding of gratuities owed pensioners for over 60 months by the Abia State Government, despite the huge amount of funds accruing to the state from the Federation Account.

It has become extremely embarrassing,concerning and distressing to hear pensioners cry out daily that the Alex Otti led government in Abia State has been unable to clear the pension and gratuity arrears owed these senior citizens, while the government continuously lie and deploy media propaganda against these senior citizens.

It is worthy of note that, rather than fully settle the outstanding gratuities owed retirees, the Abia State Government deceptively forced them to sign off on their outstanding gratuities and immediately rushed to the media to advertise that they have paid off all the outstanding arrears. This is condemnable, it is fraudulent,it is a scam and amounts to subjecting vulnerable senior citizens to undue pressure over money they have legitimately earned and are entitled to.

It is saddening that the Alex Otti administration, which went on the media to announce to the world that it had cleared over 20 years of pension arrears, has, according to the pensioners, not paid a kobo in gratuity since 2023, with outstanding obligations reportedly exceeding ₦70 billion, including obligations owed by the local government councils.

The APC finds it unconscionable that, contrary to the impression being created on social media, the Abia State Government has continued to pay retirees as little as ₦4,000 per month as against the 32k National threshold as agreed by the states in view of the prevailing economic realities while also owing them years of gratuity.

Our sister states of Imo and Enugu, have taken steps to implement the new minimum wage and has fully offsetted their pension and gratuity obligations. while Abia has continued to lie and deploy media propaganda against them.

It is equally disturbing, the situation Abia workers are faced with, available data indicate that workers in the state are among the least paid in the country, with some government agencies including ASEPA, ABSSA, Home land Security and ARTSMA, reportedly paying workers between ₦23,000 and ₦40,000 monthly,while ministries earn below the 70k minimum wage threshold, but the most disturbing aspect is that, while these workers are being paid with the obsolete wage standards they are being taxed with 2024 tax regime. this is not acceptable. It is modern day slavery,it is inhuman,it is exploitation, it is wickedness of immeasurable order and an affront to the dignity of the Abia worker.

We therefore call on the Alex Otti administration to demonstrate empathy and immediately implement the minimum wage as agreed between the government and organised labour. Workers who dedicate their time and energy to the service of the state deserve wages that enable them to live with dignity, particularly at a time when the cost of food, transportation, housing and other basic necessities has risen dramatically.

It is unfortunate that, despite Abia State receiving humongous monthly revenues, averaging about ₦40 to 60 billion, workers and pensioners are still subjected to this level of hardship and deprivation.

Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved the sharing of ₦84 billion for infrastructure, and Abia State’s share of the funds has been lodged in a bank where officials of the state government have substantial interest. We are concerned by that while this money is lying idle and yielding interest for individuals instead of being deployed to address pressing needs across the state, pensioners are dying.

We call on the Abia State Government to deploy available funds responsibly to clear the pension and gratuity arrears and stop creating a misleading impression about the commitment of the Tinubu administration and the APC led Federal Government to the welfare of Nigerians.

The Federal Government has continued to provide resources to states to enable them meet their obligations and improve the welfare of their citizens and the people must be made to feel the impact. Public resources must be made to serve the public, not private interests.

We therefore urge the Abia State Government to create a balance between infrastructure development and peoples welfare, no infrastructure project is more important than the dignity, welfare and survival of the people.

The APC in Abia State sympathises with pensioners and civil servants who are currently passing through severe hardship. We call on the government to listen to their cries, settle all outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed these senior citizens, and immediately pay civil servants the nationally approved minimum wage.

The APC sympathises with Abia pensioners, retirees and civil servants who are enduring severe economic hardship.

These are people who built and served this state. They should not spend their retirement in agony, begging for benefits they legitimately earned through decades of service and hard work.

We therefore urge the Abia State Government to stop the excuses, wickedness, lies and propaganda and immediately pay the pensions and gratuities of these suffering retirees.

Signed:
Uche Aguoru
Publicity Secretary
APC, Abia State

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POLITICS

APC Abia Pardons Erring Members, Warns Against Future Disloyalty,Seeks unity ahead of 2027 Elections

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3 hours ago

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August 23, 2026

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APC Abia Pardons Erring Members, Warns Against Future Disloyalty,seeks unity ahead of 2027 Elections

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has granted unconditional pardon to members who had previously erred against the party, as part of efforts to strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the APC State Secretariat in Umuahia, where party leaders and stakeholders agreed to put past grievances behind them and work together for the progress of the party.

 

Moving the motion for the unconditional pardon, the APC candidate for Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Uzor Azubuike, said the decision was aimed at promoting reconciliation and ensuring that all members, including those who had previously gone against the party’s position, remained united in the interest of the APC.

 

Azubuike stressed the need for the party to forge a common front as it prepares for the 2027 elections, noting that unity among members would be critical to achieving the party’s political objectives.

 

While extending the pardon, the party, however, warned that future acts of indiscipline, disloyalty and actions capable of undermining the party would not be tolerated.

 

The stakeholders’ meeting therefore marked a renewed call for unity, discipline and collective commitment among APC members in Abia as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

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POLITICS

CityBoy Movement Abia State Director Charges LGA Coordinators to Deliver Results, Reaffirms Commitment to Tinubu’s Re-election

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14 hours ago

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August 23, 2026

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The State Director of the CityBoy Movement (CBM), Abia State Chapter, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, has charged all Local Government Area (LGA) Coordinators of the movement to remain committed, united and focused on delivering tangible results as the movement intensifies its grassroots mobilisation across Abia State.

 

Mayor Igbokwe gave the charge during a strategic meeting with the LGA Coordinators, where he appreciated their commitment, sacrifices and continued support for the CityBoy Movement.

 

The State Director reminded the coordinators that the movement has one common interest: to mobilise the people and contribute meaningfully to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. He urged them to take ownership of the movement at the grassroots and ensure that their respective LGAs are actively engaged in mobilisation, membership expansion and voter outreach.

 

He stressed that commitment to the CityBoy Movement must go beyond occupying positions, noting that every coordinator must be prepared to demonstrate capacity and produce measurable results.

 

> “We have one interest, and that is to bring back our President, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every LGA coordinator must understand the responsibility that comes with the position. We need results. We need you to go to the grassroots, mobilise, build structures and show what you can achieve.”

 

Mayor Igbokwe also reassured the coordinators that the national leadership of the CityBoy Movement remains firmly behind the Abia State Chapter, urging them to remain confident, disciplined and united in advancing the objectives of the movement.

 

He commended the coordinators for their loyalty and encouraged them to maintain strong working relationships with their ward structures and other stakeholders while ensuring that the movement continues to grow across all 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

 

In their separate remarks, the LGA Coordinators expressed appreciation to the State Director for his leadership, accessibility and commitment to building a stronger CityBoy Movement in Abia.

 

They said they were proud to identify with the movement and reaffirmed their loyalty to the leadership of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe. The coordinators pledged to work harder in their respective LGAs, strengthen grassroots structures, mobilise new members and support the collective vision of the movement.

 

They also expressed confidence in the leadership of the State Director and assured him that the LGA structures would remain united and committed to the movement’s objectives.

 

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from the coordinators to take the message of the CityBoy Movement to every ward and community in Abia State, with a clear focus on grassroots mobilisation, stronger structures, measurable results and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

 

*Signed:*

*State Communication & Media Directorate*

*CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter*

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POLITICS

Abia Women Assembly Awards Seyi Tinubu, Endorses President Tinubu for 2027, Joins CityBoy Movement as Pro-Group

Published

3 days ago

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August 20, 2026

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The Abia Women Assembly (AWA) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, declaring its support for his continued leadership ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

 

The endorsement was made at the Abia Women Assembly Convention, where the organisation also formally aligned with the CityBoy Movement (CBM) as a recognised pro-group committed to mobilising support for the re-election of President Tinubu.

The convention featured the presentation of an award to Barr. Seyi Tinubu, National Patron of the CityBoy Movement, in recognition of his commitment to youth and women empowerment, grassroots development and support for initiatives that promote the Renewed Hope agenda.

Barr. Seyi Tinubu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the convention, was represented by the State Director of the CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, who received the award on his behalf.

 

Speaking at the event, Mayor Igbokwe conveyed Barr. Seyi Tinubu’s appreciation to the women for the honour and for their solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He assured the Abia Women Assembly that their commitment and support would not be taken for granted.

He noted that the Patron of the CityBoy Movement holds women in high regard and that his presence at the event through his representative was a demonstration of that commitment.

 

Mayor Igbokwe also disclosed that Barr. Seyi Tinubu had donated an 18-seater bus to support the activities and mobilisation efforts of the Abia Women Assembly.

 

In a further demonstration of support, Mayor Igbokwe announced a personal donation on behalf of himself and his wife to the women.

 

The State Director commended the Abia Women Assembly for becoming the first pro-group to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the CityBoy Movement, describing the development as a significant milestone in the movement’s grassroots mobilisation efforts across Abia State.

He explained that by joining the CityBoy Movement as a pro-group, the Abia Women Assembly would have a platform through which its members could participate actively in mobilisation, empowerment programmes, political education and the promotion of the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

 

According to him, the CityBoy Movement is not merely a political mobilisation platform but a movement focused on empowerment, grassroots engagement and communicating the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration to Nigerians at the grassroots.

 

Mayor Igbokwe further announced that the CityBoy Movement Abia State Headquarters, where the convention was held, would also serve as a platform for the women’s development activities, including skill acquisition and empowerment programmes.

 

He said the decision was in line with the CityBoy Movement’s commitment to ensuring that its political mobilisation is matched with tangible opportunities for members and supporters, particularly women and young people.

 

The State Director thanked the women of the Abia Women Assembly for their confidence in the CityBoy Movement and their decision to identify with President Tinubu, while assuring them of the movement’s continued support.

 

He also praised the women for their unity, solidarity and commitment to supporting the President, noting that their endorsement represents an important grassroots statement of confidence in the President’s leadership and the Renewed Hope agenda.

 

The convention brought together women from across Abia State and featured speeches, solidarity messages, awards and other activities celebrating women’s participation in political and community development.

 

The CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter, welcomed the Abia Women Assembly into its growing network of pro-groups and expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen grassroots mobilisation and create greater opportunities for women across the state.

 

Signed:

*Godson Emenike*

*State Communication & Media Director*

*CityBoy Movement, Abia State Chapter*

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