The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Sunday called on the Daisi Elemide-led State House of Assembly to ask Governor Dapo Abiodun to explain the alleged non-remittance of N82 billion in pension deductions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
In a statement released by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, the party said the claims made by organised labour groups that the governor had not paid a single kobo into the CPS since taking office six years ago amounted to “a monumental act of betrayal.”
This comes just days after the organised labour bodies in the state — the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council — gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government to stop the planned enforcement of the CPS, which was scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025.
The workers demanded that the state either return to the old pension structure or delay the CPS rollout until their concerns are handled. According to them, the pension scheme, introduced in 2008 by former Governor Gbenga Daniel, had problems from the start. They claimed Daniel left 25 months of deductions unpaid before leaving office in 2011.
His successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, made changes to the pension law in 2013 and planned for full implementation by 2025. However, workers said he only remitted nine months of pension deductions throughout his two terms.
Labour leaders also claimed that Governor Abiodun has failed to remit any deductions at all since taking office, despite several letters and requests.
The PDP accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of ignoring workers’ welfare by not addressing the missing N82 billion. The party questioned, “Where is the ₦82 billion? Why has the state not accounted for it? Why is Governor Abiodun recklessly rolling out a new phase of the CPS when the foundational structures, legal frameworks, remittance culture, pension board, and workers’ trust are conspicuously non-existent?”
They further noted that the government’s lack of response to these concerns is not just irresponsible but could amount to “criminal negligence.” They described the situation as a breakdown of trust between the government and its workers, saying that retirees who served the state are now facing hardship.
“The government’s obstinate refusal to engage Ogun State workers in creating a comprehensive pension database or establishing required institutions is irrefutable proof of an intentionally fraudulent administration recklessly playing roulette with the lives of its workforce,” the PDP added.
The party is calling on Governor Abiodun to explain clearly what happened to the N82 billion and to take necessary actions to restore trust before proceeding with the CPS.
“We demand that Governor Abiodun provide a comprehensive explanation for the whereabouts of the missing ₦82 billion. A decent, transparent, and accountable government should prioritise this before setting up pension institutions to win back the trust of Ogun’s workers.”
They also warned that moving forward with the CPS without resolving the issues would be a betrayal of public trust.
“Until this is done, any attempt to implement the CPS would be a blatant fraudulent distraction and a gross disservice to dedicated workers who have endured unrelenting callousness from the manifestly incompetent administration led by Abiodun.”
The PDP ended its statement with a strong appeal to lawmakers and the people of Ogun to unite and demand answers.
“The Ogun State PDP calls upon the leadership and honourable members of the Ogun State House of Assembly to join forces with stakeholders, discerning members of the public, and our party to liberate the people’s pension from Governor Abiodun’s grasp. The sweat and sacrifices of Ogun State workers must be protected and valued.”
