![]() ![]() They are not politicians they are trained to secure the country and not to come to its leadership. From our point of view, the retirees have not contributed fairly well to the development of politics and democracy in Nigeria. All retired generals should leave politics for the politicians, for younger Nigerians to manage. You once argued that if asked, you will not want a retired general to rule Nigeria again? Why would you hold to such a view? We are still praying that that would continue. In the past two months, we received our salary on the 26th. But since this administration took over, we started to experience a situation where in some cases, payment slips into the following month before we get paid although there has been an improvement. For example, it was during his time that our allowances were paid promptly and before the 30th of each month, we would have our monthly payment in our accounts. Jonathan took over from him and the policy direction he initiated, Jonathan completed most of them. I say this because President Jonathan completed the good works that he had started doing with us. May the soul of President Umaru Yar’ Adua, Nigeria’s former President rest in peace. Talking specifically, if you have to compare the administration of Jonathan and that of Buhari with particular regard to the treatment of ex- service men, how would you rate them? And as I am speaking to you, up till now, about 23 per cent of the approved increment has not been paid. ![]() We are struggling for the payment of the complete sum of 53 percent pay rise approved by Jonathan. But up till now, many of our expectations have not been met. So when he won presidential elections, I remember that we were excited, our members had looked forward to the future with high hopes and we even sent him a congratulatory message – we the ex-service men. He assured us that he would make sure that all our dues are made available to us as and when due. In 2015, he promised us, not just us but even retired police officers. Yes in 2015, we campaigned severally for President Buhari and he promised that he would treat our interests as a priority. Things are difficult.īut your people were one of those groups who campaigned for the election of the administration in 2015, you were in the forefront for the emergence of the government. Some of them have died, some are sick and have huge hospital bills to take off their shoulders. They are finding it very hard to survive the harsh economic conditions. So, on a general note, Nigeria ex- service men are passing through difficult times under the present leadership. For instance, the Federal Government approved the debarment allowance since five years ago, but up till now, they are still saying that we are not included. And we have been complaining over the years on account of this. Whenever there is an increment in our payment system, the pension board does not pay us the complete sum of money approved. Let me tell you about our condition of payment. The whole truth is that we are still waiting for such a time to come. We are supposed to be treated better than any other sub – group in the Nigeria system. It is even most painful when you take account of the fact that the President is a retired general and his Defence Minister is also a retired general and his adviser, General Monguno is also a retired general and so we are supposed to be enjoying, to be well treated by them. A majority of retired military officers are disappointed with the way we are treated by the present government. Let me say that we are not happy at all, with the present administration. How has life been for the military retirees under the present dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari bearing in mind that he is one of you? Among other issues, he also stressed the need for retired generals to quit politics and leave the stage for politicians. In this interview, the octogenarian painted the sorry picture of ex service men, charging government to address their plights. He is also the spokesman of the Retired Army, Airforce, Navy Association of Nigeria in the state. Retired Captain Yusuf Abdulmalik is an elder statesman resident in Kano. ![]()
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