Drama rocked Government House Asaba, Delta State at the weekend as retired teachers stormed the gate with placards over non-payment of their gratuities.
The protesters were teachers who retired after 35 years of meritorious service to the state and were yet to be paid their gratuities seven years on the line.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, their leader, Chief Mrs. Ejieh C.E said that, in spite of repeated promises made during meetings with a delegation of the State government, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa bluntly refused to honour his words and have left the retirees in the cold, choosing to pursue his ambition as Vice President of Nigeria in the 2023 elections.
Ejieh went further, and said that the retirees are owed over N54 billion as the state government just concluded payment of 2014 class of retirees .
Responding, the Chief of staff government house, who represented the state governor, Mr. Festus Agas pleaded with the retirees for more time, while assuring them that the payment would be made to them.
The protesters who carried various placards and chanted solidarity songs – “Okowa pay us our money, Okowa, shame, shame, shame o, Okowa. Okowa 419, Okowa, shame, shame shame o, Okowa”.