Action Alliance (AA), Imo State, has dismissed the list of alleged pension fraudsters recently released by the state government as irrational and deceitful.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the state chairman of the party, Comrade Ifeanyi Okponwa Eze, submitted that nothing can justify seizing pensions of retirees in the state for many months.
The chairman said it is ridiculous to publish names which could be fictitious without arresting and prosecuting the people allegedly involved in such fraud.
He described the alleged offence as height of criminality and grave sabotage which should not be swept under the carpet if the government is serious.
“It is not enough to publish names which might be non existent. We want their faces shown to the public.
“The offence of the so called pension fraudsters is the height of criminality and grave sabotage, as such should not be swept under the carpet. They should be arrested, paraded and prosecuted. Government has the prerogative to extend leniency to them in whichever form it deems proper but not without letting Imolites know who they are.
“Imolites are enlightened people and should refuse to be hoodwinked. If Governor Hope Uzodimma- led administration is not ready to bring these published names to face the law, then Imolites should dismiss that as a farce and political gimmick designed to hoodwink the people and cover its shortcomings”, he stated.
Okponwa Eze wondered why majority of Nigerian politicians delight in seeing the people suffer.
He urged the governor to stop playing politics with pensions, while the retirees die and groan in pain and deprivation.
“Leaders should learn to tell the people the exact state of affairs and not to deceive them”, he maintained.
NIGERIAN HORN
