The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari has promised to alleviate the plight of pensioners across the country if voted president in the March 28 election.
Buhari said this when a group of ex-servicemen protesting their treatment by the PDP-led administration in the country presented a petition to him.
He expressed sadness at the way senior citizens, who have served the country with zeal and patriotism in their youth, are being treated by the government as they are being subjected to indignity and suffering while waiting to be paid their gratuity and pension.
“A situation where corrupt officials of state outrightly embezzle funds meant for payment of pensioners or delay such payment in order to fraudulently earn interest from deposit placements with banks will not be tolerated,” said Buhari.
Buhari said he will invoke provisions of Article 1.5 of the APC manifesto to ensure that months before retirement of any officer, his or her entitlements would be worked out and accruing gratuity paid on the effective date of retirement while pension will follow as at when due.
He noted that the way a society treats its aged and infirm is reflective of the civilization and decency of its people as a country. Nigeria, he said, must therefore strive to provide for the youth and build a strong future for retiring senior citizens.