Civil service retirees in Imo State say the Department of State Security officers intimidated them by asking them to stop protesting their unpaid pension by the state government.
“We had written to them explaining the reason for our protest. They seemed to pity us, but they suddenly changed their mind. We told them we could not stop protesting. We have freedom of association as long as we are not violence, but they seem to have compromised with the governor.” “The governor may pay some groups of people for two months,” Amaechi said. “He would then pay another group one month, while some have never received payment.”
He said Emeka Ihedioha, the governor who was sacked by the Supreme Court, paid all pensioners without missing a month, once a verification process was completed. Emelumba said the protesters were supporters of Ihedioha who wanted to destabilize the current administration.