NLC rejects life pension bill for Plateau lawmakers, threatens Assembly shutdown

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Plateau State, alongside the Trade Union Congress and civil society organizations, has vowed to picket the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30 to protest a bill that would grant life pensions and retirement benefits to lawmakers. The groups have labeled the proposed legislation as "anti-people, self-serving and insensitive," vowing to sustain their protest until the bill is withdrawn.

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We are picketing the Plateau State House of Assembly on July 30, and we will remain there until this bill is withdrawn.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.

Eugene Manji, Chairman of the NLC in Plateau State, stated that organized labor would resist any attempt to pass the bill, accusing lawmakers of abusing their autonomy for personal gain. He emphasized that legislative autonomy was intended to strengthen democratic governance, not to encourage self-enrichment. Manji also called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and prevent the bill from passing, warning of potential tension in the state.

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

Kenneth Shammah, Chairman of the TUC in Plateau State, echoed these sentiments, calling the pension proposal insensitive given the state's ongoing struggles to clear existing pension arrears dating back to 1986. He highlighted the irony of lawmakers seeking lifetime pensions after serving only one term, while many parents of these legislators are still awaiting their due pensions.

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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.

Steve Aluko, Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State, described the bill as "undemocratic, extortionist and against the principles of transparency and accountability." He asserted that public office should be about service, not personal enrichment. The coalition threatened to expose the bill's sponsors and mobilize constituents against them if the legislation is not withdrawn, reinforcing their commitment to shutting down the Assembly if necessary.

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undemocratic, extortionist and against the principles of transparency and accountability.