Ogun Pension Crisis: PDP Accuses Government of Withholding N82bn, Calls for Immediate Probe

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday called on the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Daisi Elemide, to compel Governor Dapo Abiodun to explain the alleged non-remittance of over ₦82 billion in workers’ pension deductions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, the PDP described as “a monumental betrayal” the claim by organised labour that Governor Abiodun has failed to remit a single kobo into the scheme since assuming office six years ago.

This follows a recent 72-hour ultimatum issued by organised labour—including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC)—demanding that the state government suspend the implementation of the CPS, slated to begin on July 1, 2025.

The labour unions urged the state to either revert to the old pension system or delay the CPS rollout until all pending issues are resolved.

They noted that the CPS, introduced in 2008 under former Governor Gbenga Daniel, had been flawed from the outset, as Daniel allegedly failed to remit 25 months of deductions before his exit in 2011. His successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, reportedly amended the law in 2013 and promised full implementation by 2025 but managed to remit just nine months’ worth of deductions in eight years.

Labour further alleged that Governor Abiodun has made no remittances since taking office in 2019, despite repeated letters and appeals.

The PDP criticised the Abiodun administration’s silence on the matter, calling it a gross display of disregard for the welfare of workers.

“We ask: Where is the ₦82 billion? Why has the government failed to account for it? Why is Governor Abiodun rushing to implement a new phase of the CPS without addressing the foundational issues—missing legal frameworks, lack of a pension board, a remittance culture, or workers’ trust?” the statement queried.

“The government’s silence is not just irresponsible—it is tantamount to criminal negligence. This is a betrayal of the social contract, where public servants give their prime years to the state and are repaid with hardship and neglect in retirement,” the party added.

The PDP accused the government of deliberately refusing to create a credible pension database or establish necessary oversight institutions, describing the CPS rollout as “an intentionally fraudulent move that gambles with workers’ futures.”

“We demand a full and transparent explanation from Governor Abiodun on the whereabouts of the ₦82 billion. A responsible government would resolve this before attempting to establish new pension structures or regaining workers’ trust.”

The statement further warned that any attempt to implement the CPS without resolving the outstanding issues would amount to “a fraudulent diversion and a grave injustice to long-suffering workers.”

Concluding, the PDP urged the Ogun State House of Assembly to rise to the occasion and work with stakeholders, civil society, and the opposition to rescue workers’ pensions from what it described as Governor Abiodun’s stranglehold.

“The sweat and sacrifices of Ogun State workers must be respected, protected, and never taken for granted,” the statement declared.