RismadarVoice Reporters
November 3, 2026
A dispute has emerged within the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners over a reported two per cent deduction from retirees’ monthly pension payments.
The disagreement involves the union’s Secretary, Joseph Agbo, and Chairman, Sammy Eke, who have offered conflicting accounts of their involvement in the deduction arrangement.
Speaking during an interview, Agbo denied participating in the decision to introduce the deduction, insisting that he had no role in its approval or implementation.
He accused Eke, whom he described as the newly elected chairman, of being responsible for the arrangement.
Agbo expressed concern about the financial implications for pensioners, arguing that retirees were already experiencing economic difficulties and should not face additional deductions without adequate justification.
He maintained that he would not support any decision that imposed further financial pressure on pensioners.
However, Eke rejected the allegations, accusing the secretary of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the deduction.
The chairman insisted that Agbo was aware of the arrangement and disputed suggestions that the secretary had been excluded from the process.
Eke urged members of the public to disregard claims that Agbo did not know about the deduction, maintaining that the matter was not new to the union’s leadership.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the internal decision-making procedures of the pensioners’ association and the level of consultation preceding the reported deduction.
It remains unclear when the deduction was introduced, how many pensioners are affected or the total amount collected.
The information available also does not establish whether the deduction represents union membership dues, another authorised contribution or a separate financial arrangement.
Neither official’s account independently establishes who authorised the deductions or whether affected pensioners consented to them.
The controversy comes amid longstanding concerns about pension administration and the welfare of retired public servants in Rivers State.
In August, the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners appealed to the government to address outstanding pension liabilities and improve retirees’ welfare.
The latest disagreement highlights the need for clarity over the purpose, authorisation and management of deductions from retirement benefits.
As the dispute continues, the circumstances surrounding the reported two per cent deduction remain unresolved.
