Abia Pensioners’ Forum Refutes Daily Sun Report On Gratuity Payment

The Abia Pensioners’ Forum has disowned a publication in the Daily Sun Newspaper of Friday, 11th September, 2026, captioned “Abia Pensioners Reject 2031 Timeline For Gratuity Payment.”

In a refutal statement signed by its Coordinator, Okey Kanu, Esq., and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Onyenyiri, the Forum said it did not issue or authorize any statement in that regard.

The Forum said its attention was drawn to the publication on Page 27 of the newspaper which was credited to a nameless “Steering Committee” without a reporter’s name.

It stated that though the Forum has a Steering Committee, all its publications are issued under the name of the Forum and signed by its Coordinator and/or Secretary.

The Forum described as misinformation the claim in the report that “…former Abia State Governor reportedly paid N32 billion in retirement benefits in 2007…”

“It is misinformation to allege that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu paid N32 billion gratuity in 2007 because as at that date, he was not in office,” the statement said.

The Forum said assuming such payment was made, the arrears of pension and gratuity in Abia State would not be as high as was inherited by the present administration.

It added that it was aware that it was Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State that used the said amount in 2007 to clear the retirement benefits of pensioners in Anambra.

The Forum said it is non-partisan and its sole concern is the payment of arrears of pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits of Abia pensioners.

It urged the public to disregard the publication which it described as fictitious and misinformed.

The Forum said it will at the appropriate time issue a press release on the commencement of payment of gratuity to Batch 2001-2010 pensioners, its observations on the exercise, the 2031 timeline and other issues.

It advised the public to verify information concerning the activities of the Forum from its Coordinator before publication, stating that it will not be responsible for any misinformation.