Kwara Local Government Pensioners Deserve Dignity, Not Punishment -Prof. Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and a strong advocate for the rights of the vulnerable, Prof. Ali Ahmad has decried the continued hardship facing local government pensioners in Kwara State, describing their condition as both unacceptable and inhumane.
He lamented that over 80% of these pensioners are elderly citizens who should be enjoying the rewards of their service to the state, not subjected to frustration, neglect, and undue bureaucratic stress. While civil servants have benefited from salary increments to cushion economic hardship, pensioners—equally affected by rising living costs—remain excluded.
Prof. Ahmad expressed deep concern over the appointment of a Lagos-based consultant to handle pension verification in the state. The consultant, he noted, operates externally and only visits occasionally, leaving pensioners stranded and without timely access to their entitlements.
“This is an ill-conceived policy. A part-time, Lagos-based consultant cannot grasp or respond to the urgent, daily needs of our senior citizens. This arrangement punishes the most vulnerable among us,” he said.
He also criticized the compulsory opening of accounts with Lotus Bank, describing it as a violation of citizens’ constitutional right to freely choose their financial institutions. Even more disturbing, he said, are reports of political profiling during the verification process—turning what should be a routine administrative procedure into a tool of suspicion and intimidation.
While acknowledging the need for transparency and reform, Prof. Ahmad insisted that such efforts must reflect compassion and common sense.
“Reforms must ease burdens, not increase them. Any pursuit of accountability that tramples on human dignity is both morally wrong and counterproductive,” he emphasized.
He called on the Kwara State Government to urgently restructure the current pension process, warning that the issue goes beyond delayed payments—it touches on the dignity and peace of mind every retired worker is entitled to.
Signed:
Sa’ad Ayinde
Media Assistant to Prof. Ali Ahmad
Former Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly