Life pension for Plateau lawmakers rejected, NLC threatens strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress in Plateau State has dismissed a proposed bill seeking to grant life pension and retirement benefits to members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, threatening to shut down the legislature if the bill is not withdrawn.

The NLC, alongside the Trade Union Congress and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, revealed plans to picket the Assembly complex on July 30, describing the proposed legislation as “anti-people, self-serving and insensitive.”

Speaking at a joint press conference in Jos on Wednesday, the Chairman of the NLC in Plateau State, Eugene Manji, said organised labour would resist any attempt by lawmakers to pass the bill.

“We are picketing the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30, and we will remain there until this bill is withdrawn. We have the capacity to sustain the protest if necessary,” Manji said.

He accused members of the Assembly of abusing the autonomy granted to state legislatures by pursuing policies that serve personal interests.

“Organised labour and civil society groups fought for legislative autonomy to strengthen democratic governance, not to encourage self-enrichment,” he said.

Manji also called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and stop the proposed legislation, warning that allowing it to pass “could generate unnecessary tension in the state.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the TUC in Plateau State, Kenneth Shammah, described the proposed pension package as insensitive, particularly at a time when the state was still grappling with pension arrears.

“It is unfortunate that while the government is battling to clear pension arrears, lawmakers who have served only four years want to place themselves on a lifetime pension,” Shammah said.

“It is unfortunate that while the government is battling to clear pension arrears dating back to 1986, many parents of these lawmakers are still waiting to receive their pensions. We reject the bill in its entirety,” he added.

Shammah argued that legislators remain capable of contributing meaningfully to society after leaving office and should not depend on lifetime pensions after serving only one term.

The Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, Steve Aluko, also opposed the bill, describing it as “undemocratic, extortionist and against the principles of transparency and accountability.”

He said public office should be about service rather than personal enrichment.

The coalition also threatened to publish the names of lawmakers sponsoring the bill and mobilise their constituents against them. It urged Plateau residents, religious organisations and other stakeholders to support the planned protest.

The Plateau State House of Assembly had yet to officially respond to the position of the labour unions and civil society organisations as of the time of filing this report

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