Pensioners explain dissolution of Enugu executive

The Pensioners in Enugu State have said that ‘wretched leadership acumen’ exhibited by their union’s leadership is responsible for the vote of no confidence passed on them and the call for their dissolution.

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 also alleged embezzlement of union’s funds, selfish interest, and lawlessness by the executive led by Mr. Damian Udeani and Mr John Nebo, as some of the reasons for their action.

While moving the motion, which was unanimously carried by all the retired workers, Douglas Edeh and 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 executive members of flagrant abuse of the union’s constitution as well as lack of transparency and accountability, 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-treasuries 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.
Contacted, however, the embattled State Chairman, Mr. Damian Udeani said the pensioners lacked the power to remove him from office.

He denied the allegations of embezzlement as an “imagination of few individuals who have refused the progress of the union”, stressing that “I can only be removed by an election of the union, which will soon be held”.He said his executive has done all within its ability to keep the union together and ensured that members received their entitlements as at when due.