FACT-CHECK: Documents show Adamawa NUP spokesman, Ahmed Buba lied against Pension Board, in non-payment of retirees claim
The claim by the spoke man of the Nigeria Union Pensioners, Adamawa state chapter, Ahmed Buba, that none of her members is yet to benefit from the recent 1.5 billion naira approve and release by Gov. Fintiri of Adamawa to pensioners is false, an investigation by THE FINDER has shown.
Also untrue, our findings show is Mr Zuba’s claim that permanent secretaries take a large chunk of the 1.5 billion naira realised by the governor to the pensioner.
In his controversial statement to the press penultimate Monday, Mr Buba had, among other allegations, accused Adamawa state pension board and Governor Fintiri of Adamawa state of stifling pensioners of funds and also claim
that the Adamawa state government fails to implement minimum wage to pensioners.
When THE FINDER asked him why he accused the governor of releasing 1.5 billion out of the outstanding, despite knowing that it was the pension board management through a memo that suggested to the governor that it requires 1.5 billion naira to settle some pensioner arrears, Mr Buba, however, recanted saying that if truly the pension board demanded 1.5 billion naira then his members will not be happy with the management of the Board.
The FINDER can authoritatively report that Mr Buba was economical with the truth as far as this particular pension payment is concerned.
The 1.5 billion nairas was released based on the memo from the pension board to the Governor as it was not the Adamawa state that decided to release any amount it wishes to pensioners.
In his press statement, sighted by this newspaper, Mr Buba, contrary to what he told this newspaper, did not indicate anywhere the numbers of permanent secretaries that will consume a large chunk of the money”.
Our findings showed that the pension board, through its management, wrote to the governor requesting a 1.5 billion naira release.
Those familiar with pension procedure said there was no way permanent secretaries that are less than 25 will consume a large chunk of the money, as most pensioners are currently receiving their pension till date. The NUP spokesman, Adamawa state chapter had stated to the press, accusing the governor of wrongdoing.
CONCLUSION: Mr Buba’s statement to the press does not support his claim that his members are yet to benefit from the recent 1.5 billion naira to pensioners in Adamawa state.
Documents reviewed by this newspaper and interviews with those who should know also indicate that the pension board actually wrote to the governor requesting for 1.5 billion naira.