By joshua N7m Donation to EBSU Retirees Not Pension Payment, Ebonyi Govt Tells Odii
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2027 governorship candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, over claims that purported N7 million naira donation to some EBSU retirees is the payment of pensions and gratuities, saying it is humanitarian assistance not pensions and gratuities.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, warned against politicising the plight of retired staff of Ebonyi State University, EBSU.
The commissioner said that Ebonyi State government welcomes every genuine intervention aimed at alleviating the difficulties of elderly citizens but insisted the issue should not be reduced to partisan propaganda.
“For the avoidance of doubt, a donation of N100,000 to an individual retiree is humanitarian assistance; it is not the payment of that retirees’ pension or gratuity. The two are fundamentally different,” the statement said.
The government noted that pension and gratuity claims require proper verification of service records, determination of legitimate entitlements, identification of the responsible institution and compliance with financial and legal procedures.
“It is therefore important that the public is not misled into believing that the payment of N7 million to 216 persons constitutes settlement of their outstanding retirement benefits,” Omebeh stated.
The rejoinder explained that the recent public discussion followed appeals by members of the retirees’ association alleging outstanding pension and gratuity claims, adding that the appropriate response is to establish facts concerning each claimant rather than politicise the issue.
Omebeh said Ebonyi is among the few states that have practically handled workers’ welfare with unrivalled disposition, leading to approval and payment of pension and gratuity arrears to State and Local Government retirees covering 1996 to date, with a structured verification process.
He recalled that in January 2026, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation reported the state government’s position that arrears of pensions and gratuities from the creation of the state had been cleared.
“These documented interventions demonstrate that pension matters have received government attention. They do not, however, automatically establish that every individual claim made by an EBSU retiree has been settled. That is precisely why the specific EBSU claims should be properly verified,” he said.
The Commissioner said the retirees deserve solutions, not political theatre, and should have their legitimate claims treated with dignity and urgency through a structured process involving university management, retirees’ representatives and relevant government agencies.
“The Government will not join issues with anybody who chooses to assist retirees from personal resources. But it is necessary to draw a clear line between charity and statutory responsibility,” he added.
He challenged Dr. Odii and the PDP to make available any information establishing the precise number of affected retirees, individual amounts owed and institution legally responsible for settlement, stressing that government is prepared to examine any properly documented and verified claim.
Omebeh disclosed that the state government is working with the management of the University and affiliate unions including ASUU and NASU to streamline actions in line with best practices and ensure smooth take-off of the Pension Scheme in the university.
“The welfare of senior citizens is too important to be turned into an election-season talking point. The people of Ebonyi deserve facts, documentation and solutions, not competing political narratives over the hardship of retirees,” the statement added.