By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue pensioners and members of the Benue Motorcycle Association, BEMOA, at the weekend presented expression of interest and nomination forms to Governor Hyacinth Alia, urging him to contest the 2027 governorship election.
The forms, purchased at the All Progressives Congress National Secretariat in Abuja, by the two groups were presented during a ceremony at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Benue State Chapter, Comrade Michael Vembe, said the gesture was to reciprocate the goodwill shown to senior citizens by the present administration.
He recalled that previous administrations had categorised pensioners as “waking corpses” or “dead people” who deserved nothing, and saw no need to pay monthly pensions, insisting that Governor Alia has resurrected pensioners from the dead and brought them to life.
“We know the governor has the resources to buy the forms himself, but Benue pensioners and members of BEMOA decided to buy them for him. This is because he has taken the issue of pensioners and the downtrodden as his priority. We contributed enough money for the purpose, but BEMOA approached us and said they would also share in the history, so we allowed them,” he said.
Vembe explained that pensioners critically examined the governor’s achievements, including his policies on pensions, the civil service and infrastructural development.
He recalled that Governor Alia, on assumption of office, promised to pay salaries and pensions on the 22nd of every month.
“The first date fell on a weekend and many people wondered since salaries are normally paid on working days. But the governor fulfilled his promise as workers and pensioners started receiving alerts the same day,” he said.
Vembe said the senior citizens decided not only to purchase the forms but to support and work for the governor’s re-election because of their experience with past governments.
He said Alia’s regular payment of pensions had given pensioners new life, expressing optimism that the governor would do more if given another term.
He recounted the hardship faced by retirees in the past and recalled that those who retired in 2012 during the immediate past administration were supposed to enjoy pensions and gratuity but were not given, adding that some suffered for six or more years after retirement.
“Since Governor Alia mounted the saddle, those who retired the month he assumed office started receiving pensions, while other benefits including arrears were calculated and paid to them.”
Vembe commended the governor for setting up a committee to look into pension arrears and expressed optimism that he would also review pensions for those receiving as little as N2,000 to meet current economic challenges if re-elected.
He advocated a free medical scheme for senior citizens as is done in other countries, and called on pensioners to continue supporting the governor, expressing confidence that Alia would approve and implement a free medical scheme for senior citizens if supported to continue in office.
Corroborating Vembe, State President of BEMOA, Terfa Ahan, said the association joined the move to show appreciation to the governor for his developmental strides, particularly in education, healthcare, and regular payment of salaries and pensions, which he said was once a major challenge to many families.
He said Governor Alia’s efforts in making roads motorable meant safer travel, easier access to destinations and better opportunities for Okada riders to earn a living.