Public affairs analysts have commended the Enugu State Government for initiating the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants, describing the intervention as a significant step towards addressing a legacy liability that has lingered for more than two decades.

The analysts spoke during a Saturday edition of Freedom Square Live, a radio programme hosted by Dr. Uchenna Cyril Anioke on Solid FM 100.9, which focused on the topic, “2027 Elections: Gagging the Opposition and the Threat to Democracy.”

The guests included Dr. Chikezie Obasi, Secretary of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN), Enugu State Chapter; Professor Chiwuike Uba, Welfare Officer of the Guild; and Emeka Odom, a member of the Guild.

The discussion examined the Enugu State Government’s reported approval of ₦32 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities, the release of the initial ₦10 billion tranche and the possible implications of the intervention for organised labour, pensioners and the political landscape ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Introducing the issue, Anioke recalled that the non-payment of gratuities had remained a major concern for retired civil servants in Enugu State, with successive administrations facing criticism over accumulated unpaid entitlements dating back to 2000.

He noted that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah had also faced criticism over the issue, particularly as the government initially embarked on a verification exercise to establish the identities and entitlements of eligible retirees.

According to the host, the state government approved ₦32 billion for the settlement of outstanding gratuities, with an initial ₦10 billion released as the first tranche to commence payments.

Anioke disclosed that his wife, who retired from the civil service more than 12 years ago, had also received her gratuity in full without lobbying anyone.

He maintained that although governments should be held accountable for their policies and performance, genuine achievements should equally be acknowledged irrespective of political differences.

Contributing, Professor Chiwuike Uba, Welfare Officer of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, described the government’s intervention as commendable, arguing that the payment of gratuities should be viewed primarily from the perspective of retirees’ welfare rather than solely through the lens of electoral politics.

He explained that gratuities represented the accumulated entitlements of workers who had contributed their services to the state but had been unable to receive their benefits after retirement.

Uba, however, questioned why the government had released only ₦10 billion when ₦32 billion had reportedly been appropriated, suggesting that the opposition could legitimately demand an explanation for the difference.

He nevertheless acknowledged that government expenditure was often determined by competing priorities and available resources.

Providing further details, the professor said that, according to information available to him, ₦5 billion had so far been deployed from the initial ₦10 billion, while ₦3.12 billion had already been paid to beneficiaries.

He expressed hope that additional payments would be made before the end of the 2026 appropriation year and that newly accrued entitlements would also be accommodated.

Uba also noted that the provision for gratuity payments in the 2026 budget demonstrated that the intervention was not merely an emergency political decision.

He urged the government to ensure that the outstanding liabilities were completely cleared, expressing the hope that retirees would not continue to experience prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements.

On the possible political implications, Uba argued that the government could not be faulted simply because an intervention addressing the needs of citizens might also generate political goodwill.

Similarly, Emeka Odom, a member of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, described pensioners, serving civil servants and their families as an influential voting bloc in Enugu State, noting that the resolution of the gratuity crisis could have implications for the political calculations of the administration and opposition parties.

Odom argued that Governor Mbah should not be accused of creating a problem inherited from previous administrations, maintaining that his responsibility was to identify and address the difficulties confronting the people.

According to him, if the government’s intervention generates political benefits, such gains should not diminish the importance of addressing the plight of retirees.

He observed that the payment would provide relief to elderly citizens who had struggled to meet essential needs, including purchasing medication, while waiting for their outstanding entitlements.

Odom also suggested that the intervention could reduce the pressure on organised labour, which traditionally advocates for the welfare of both serving workers and retired employees.

However, he stressed the importance of ensuring that retirees who were yet to receive their payments were not left out.

He further cautioned against a situation in which gratuities and retirement benefits would again accumulate for several years, insisting that the experience should not be repeated.

Speaking on the relationship between the state government and local government councils, Dr. Chikezie Obasi, Secretary of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, recalled that clearing the backlog of gratuities was among Governor Mbah’s campaign promises during the 2023 governorship election.

He said resolving the inherited liabilities would provide an important foundation for a more sustainable pension administration system and could make it easier for subsequent administrations to address their pension obligations.

Obasi also referred to the reported decision of the 17 local government chairmen to align with the governor’s programme by dedicating part of their allocations towards settling outstanding gratuity liabilities.

He explained that cooperation between the state and local governments should be based on policy direction, legal frameworks and effective governance rather than the indiscriminate takeover of local government funds.

According to him, the proposal to earmark about 10 per cent of local government funds for pension and gratuity obligations should be supported by appropriate legislation and a sustainable pension funding arrangement.

He maintained that such a framework would help prevent the accumulation of similar legacy liabilities in the future.

On the role of opposition parties, Obasi argued that their responsibility should include recognising positive government interventions while continuing to scrutinise areas where the administration had not performed satisfactorily.

He said opposition parties should be able to acknowledge government achievements without abandoning their responsibility of holding those in power accountable.

Obasi further argued that the political advantages which might accompany the payment of gratuities should not automatically discredit the intervention, maintaining that delivering good governance was part of the responsibility of an elected political leader.

He urged the local government chairmen to support the initiative, describing cooperation between the different levels of government as necessary for addressing the outstanding obligations.

The analysts also emphasised the need for the government to ensure that the payment process was completed and that retirees who were yet to receive their entitlements were eventually captured.

They maintained that beyond the immediate relief provided by the intervention, a sustainable pension and gratuity funding mechanism would be necessary to prevent future administrations from accumulating similar debts.

The discussion formed part of a broader examination of governance, political accountability and the role of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.