TEJIRI EBIKEME    WARRI

President Goodluck Jonathan

NATIONAL Association of Military Pensioners has given the Federal Government 21 days ultimatum to pay pensions arrears of its members of face an unpalatable protest.

President of the association, Mr. Benson Eromafuru in a statement in Warri yesterday said military pensioners were tired of unfulfilled promises in the past four years.

“The urgent need has come for the Chairman of Military Pensions Board to pay our pension arrears or be prepared for total war, a consequence that will be unpalatable to Nigeria as a whole”, he warned.

Mr. Eromafuru wondered why the people that fought for the unity of the country should be treated shabbily while politicians allegedly embezzle their entitlements at will.

“We fought to keep Nigeria united and we believe it is not a sin to do so. Why then should the people at the corridor of power choose to punish us by holding onto to our pension leaving us and our children to suffer untold hardship, sickness and death before our entitlements are given to us.

“Why are we allowed to fight and make uncomplimentary statements before our meager pension is given to us while militants are well maintained by paying them as at when due”, he asked.

Mr. Eromafuru said military pensioners association could no longer fold its arms and watch its members dying and directed the Chairman of military pensioners Board to pay their entitlement within 21 days of face the consequences.

He noted that the association would no longer take any excuse for nonpayment of member’s arrears since President Goodluck Jonathan had since signed the 2013 budget into law.

Mr. Eromafuru therefore urged President Jonathan and the Minister of Defence to direct the immediate payment of their pension arrears to save the country from another round of crisis.

“The Chairman of Military Pensions Board should immediately commence the payment of our pension arrears now or we will come out enmass  to protest the injustice and we promise it will never be peaceful”, he warned.