Retired public servants in Akwa Ibom State, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno for re-election in the 2027 general elections. The endorsement was announced on Friday, October 30, during a special appreciation rally at the Ibom Hall Grounds in Uyo. The pensioners said their decision was informed by what they described as the government’s attention to their welfare, particularly the settlement of outstanding gratuities and improvements in pension payments. The gathering also presented Governor Eno with a Merit Award in recognition of his administration’s policies affecting retired public servants.
The endorsement followed a formal motion moved by Comrade James Inim and seconded by Dr Uduak Udoaka, which was unanimously adopted by participants at the event. The resolution expressed support for the re-election of Tinubu as President, Akpabio as senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District and Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Other candidates of the All Progressives Congress were also included in the declaration. Organisers described the resolution as an expression of appreciation for government interventions benefiting retirees. However, the endorsement represents the position adopted at the union gathering and should not be interpreted as proof that every pensioner in Akwa Ibom State holds the same political preference.
Governor Umo Eno announced additional welfare benefits for retired public servants during the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Eno announced the approval of a 13th-month pension bonus for retirees in the state, alongside a one-time welfare payment of 10,000 Naira to be added to their November 2026 pensions. The governor explained that retired workers deserved recognition for their years of service and contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom. The additional payment is expected to benefit more than 28,000 pensioners, according to reports of the announcement. Eno also assured the gathering that his administration would continue implementing policies designed to strengthen the welfare of elderly citizens. The approvals represent separate interventions, with the 13th-month bonus intended as an additional pension benefit and the 10,000 Naira payment announced specifically for November.
The governor also provided an update on the payment of inherited gratuity arrears, disclosing that his administration had released more than 100 Billion Naira towards settling obligations accumulated since 2012. According to Eno, the state inherited an estimated gratuity backlog of 111 Billion Naira when his administration assumed office. He explained that most of the outstanding amount had been addressed and assured pensioners that the remaining balance would be cleared before the end of his first term. The governor attributed the progress partly to improved financial resources available to state governments. While these figures reflect the government’s reported disbursements, a detailed independent reconciliation of all outstanding pension and gratuity obligations was not presented at the ceremony.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners gathered in Uyo to discuss retirement welfare and recognise the state government’s interventions.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his concern for retired workers and his administration’s efforts to address longstanding welfare problems. Abumisi said the governor’s interventions had improved conditions for pensioners and demonstrated recognition of their contributions to public service. He also praised the administration’s development initiatives and encouraged union members to consider the governor’s record ahead of the 2027 election. His remarks formed part of the union leadership’s endorsement, although they do not establish the voting intentions of individual retirees throughout the state.
In his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, expressed appreciation for the governor’s handling of pension payments and outstanding gratuities. Nkodo said the administration had introduced measures that improved the financial circumstances of some retired workers who previously received very low monthly pensions. Earlier statements from the state union indicated that pensioners receiving as little as 1,000 to 3,000 Naira monthly had benefited from upward adjustments, with some payments reportedly increased to 47,000 Naira. The union leadership described these interventions as important developments in the state’s pension administration and argued that continued attention to retirement welfare was necessary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio was among the political leaders endorsed by the pensioners ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Eno also encouraged retirees to enrol in the Akwa Ibom State health insurance scheme, explaining that residents aged 65 and above were eligible for free coverage under the arrangements described by his administration. He said access to healthcare remained an important component of his government’s social welfare programme, particularly for elderly citizens who frequently require regular medical attention. The governor also linked improvements in the state’s fiscal position to increased federal allocations under the Tinubu administration. He subsequently urged attendees to support Tinubu’s re-election and called on pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to support Akpabio’s bid for another term. Those appeals were political statements by the governor, distinct from the welfare commitments announced during the ceremony.
The October endorsement followed earlier declarations of support for the same political leaders by other groups in Akwa Ibom State. In August 2026, political stakeholders from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District publicly endorsed Tinubu, Akpabio and Eno after reviewing their respective records. In October, youth representatives from Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas made a similar declaration at a political rally. These developments illustrate how organised groups have participated in early political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. However, endorsements at meetings and rallies are not substitutes for representative opinion surveys or actual election results, and the preferences of other voters and political organisations may differ.
President Bola Tinubu was included in the pensioners’ endorsement as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue.
The pensioners’ endorsement also raises wider questions about the relationship between social welfare policies and political participation. Retired public servants have consistently called for prompt payment of pensions, settlement of gratuity arrears, access to affordable healthcare and protection against the rising cost of living. Government responses to these concerns can influence public debate about the performance of elected officials, but pension beneficiaries retain the right to support any political candidate or party of their choice. Electoral observers generally distinguish between public expressions of support and evidence of wider voter sentiment, particularly when endorsements arise from organised meetings. The political significance of the Akwa Ibom event will therefore depend on subsequent developments rather than the resolution alone.
As of November 2, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has publicly endorsed Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno and other APC candidates for re-election in 2027. Governor Eno has also announced a 13th-month pension bonus, a one-time payment of 10,000 Naira for November and continued efforts to settle outstanding gratuity obligations. The immediate focus for retirees will be the implementation of these commitments, including the timely disbursement of approved benefits and access to healthcare support. The endorsement adds to the political activities taking place ahead of the 2027 elections, while questions about pension sustainability, retirement welfare and government accountability remain relevant to public debate. The eventual electoral outcome will depend on the choices made by eligible voters through the democratic process.
