Bauchi APC welcomes ₦10bn gratuity payment, urges Governor Mohammed to clear arrears.
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the allocation of ₦10 billion by Gov. Bala Mohammed for the payment of outstanding gratuity owed to retired civil servants in the state.
The party made its position known in a statement signed by Malam Saadu Umar, Chairman, APC Publicity Committee in Bauchi State, and made available to journalists on Monday in Maiduguri.
The APC described the allocation as a welcome development capable of alleviating the hardship faced by retirees, but urged the governor to ensure that the entire backlog was cleared.
It also called on Mohammed to acknowledge President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government for increased allocations to states under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which it said had created additional fiscal space for Bauchi.
The party alleged that the governor had made repeated promises to settle gratuity arrears since 2019, describing the latest move as coming late in his administration.
According to the APC, the ₦10 billion represents only a beginning, stressing that retirees were owed far more.
It challenged the government to publish the total outstanding liability, beneficiaries and years covered, and provide a timeline for completing payment before May 29, 2027.
The party further urged transparency in the process to prevent exploitation, bribery or discrimination among beneficiaries.
The APC said a future administration under the party would prioritise workers’ welfare and full payment of entitlements.
