MARGARET CHIDERA
ABUJA Nigeria – The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and unity within the union.
Speaking at the 2nd Sectoral National Delegates Congress of the Federal Civil Service Branch (FCSB) of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) held in Abuja, the National President of the NUP, Mazi Godwin Abumisi, addressed issues within the Federal Civil Service branch.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the actions of some individuals who, according to him, mistakenly believed that the union was their personal property.
Abumisi in his speech, underscored the significance of the electoral process in maintaining legitimacy within the union.
Reflecting on the journey of the union, Mazi Abumisi began by recalling a similar event held six years ago in the same venue.
He acknowledged that while he was not president at the time, his role in that capacity paved the way for his current leadership position.
He spoke of the legal battles and challenges faced in bringing the union to this point but expressed satisfaction that justice had finally been served. “The law spoke positively,” he said, affirming that while justice was delayed, it was not denied.
“Today, a major forward leap is being recorded at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners. It was in this same auditorium that I performed a similar function six years ago at the 1st Sectoral National Delegates Conference of the Federal Civil Service branch of the NUP on the 18th of July, 2018. I was not the President then, but I acted in a representative capacity.
“This election should have been held almost 21/2 years ago, but the forces of darkness held it down. However, we edged on.
“They went to court, and the law spoke positively. Even though justice was delayed but it was not denied. The challenges we had with a few disgruntle elements in the federal Civil Service branch were that some people, very few people, erroneously believed that a Union is a private property. They believed in only themselves and themselves alone. It is a misnomer to believe so as the Union belongs to every member.
“It is better late than never. Therefore, it is better that this Delegates Conference is held today, even though it ought to have been held earlier.
“By our Constitution, National, State, or Sectoral Delegates Conference is a four yearly ritual without which no elected leadership at whatever level in this Union will have legitimacy. The basis of any form of legitimate authority in NUP is the conduct of the Quadrennial Delegates Conference to seek legal mandate for leadership from the members.”
Emphasising the importance of the day’s election, Abumisi urged delegates to vote wisely and called for the Ministry of Labour to stop giving recognition to self-acclaimed leaders who lacked legitimate authority.
“May I use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all various groups in the Federal Civil Sevice branch, claiming leadership and going about with different unrecognized, irrelevant and self-glorified titles to desist from such act.
“Power is gotten from the people through the ballot. Today is a day for the ballot to speak. I therefore enjoin all distinguished delegates here today to vote wisely for a leader of their choice.
“I also appeal to the Ministry of Labour, our supervising ministry, to please stop giving undue attention and recognition to any self-acclaimed leader of this branch henceforth. The result of this election must be sacrosanct.” He said
Earlier, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the FCSB, Comrade Frederick Eguoba, in his address also reflected on the challenges faced by the committee since their inauguration in April 2024.
“We have faced undaunted challenges from some of our disgruntled members who only believed in themselves,” he said.
Despite these obstacles, he expressed gratitude to those who opposed them, noting that the resistance made the committee more focused and determined to succeed.
Eguoba outlined the successes of the Caretaker Committee during its six-month tenure, particularly in reorganizing the union’s branches across the country and conducting nationwide elections. “To God be the glory, we are at the final bus stop today,” he declared.
He added that the election of delegates for the congress marked the culmination of the committee’s efforts.
The chairman expressed deep appreciation for the support of the national leadership of the NUP, particularly Mazi Abumisi, as well as other key stakeholders.
“The opportunity you gave us showed us that anything is possible when the environment is right,” Eguoba said. He proudly reported that the committee had fulfilled its mandate, bringing peace back to the FCSB and ensuring that the union remained “one indivisible entity.”
As the congress prepared to elect new leaders, Eguoba acknowledged that the outcome of the election was in the hands of the delegates.
“If it pleases God and the majority of delegates here today, we will be back to continue the good job we have started,” he said.
However, he also expressed his willingness to step aside if the delegates chose new leadership.
“For me personally, whatever happens here after the election today, it is solidarity forever,” he concluded.
