The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the alleged tear-gassing of protesting pensioners at the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing the incident as being similar to pushing elderly people into a gas chamber.
Sowore made the comment in a statement shared on his social media page on Monday while reacting to the reported use of tear gas against pensioners who gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand their outstanding post-retirement entitlements.
The AAC candidate described the incident as an unprovoked attack on elderly Nigerians who had spent several years working for the country.
He said the pensioners were exercising their right to demand benefits they were entitled to after leaving active service.
According to him, the use of tear gas against the protesters was unacceptable, particularly because of their age and possible health vulnerabilities.
Sowore said many of the pensioners could be more sensitive to the effects of chemical fumes and that exposure could lead to serious health problems.
“Many of these pensioners may already be vulnerable to the dangerous effects of chemical fumes, and such an assault is grave; it could even have fatal consequences,” he said.
He compared the alleged incident to subjecting the elderly protesters to a gas chamber, saying the action was particularly disturbing because those affected were people who had spent years serving the country.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the challenges facing retired workers in Nigeria, many of whom have continued to demand payment of their pensions, gratuities and other retirement benefits.
Pensioners in different parts of the country have over the years staged protests and appealed to federal and state authorities over delayed payments and other problems associated with the pension system.
For many retired workers, pension payments are their main source of income after leaving active service. Delays in receiving pensions or gratuities can therefore create serious financial difficulties, particularly for elderly people who may have limited opportunities to earn additional income.
Sowore said the pensioners should be allowed to express their grievances and seek government intervention without being subjected to what he described as unnecessary force.
He called for the officers allegedly involved in the incident to be identified, arrested and investigated.
The AAC presidential candidate said there should be accountability if security personnel were found to have used excessive force against the protesters.
His demand for an investigation comes amid long-standing concerns about the treatment of protesters and the use of force by security personnel during public demonstrations.
The right to peaceful assembly and expression is recognised under Nigeria’s Constitution, although authorities are also responsible for maintaining public order and protecting lives and property during protests.
The challenge for security agencies is to maintain order without violating the rights of citizens who gather peacefully to present their grievances.
The issue of pension administration has remained a major concern in Nigeria because of the large number of retired workers who depend on regular payments for their livelihood.
Nigeria operates a contributory pension system for many workers, while some retirees remain under older pension arrangements. The administration of pensions involves both federal and state authorities, depending on the category of worker and the applicable pension scheme.
State pensioners have often protested over unpaid benefits, delayed gratuities and other retirement-related obligations.
The situation can be especially difficult for retirees who have no other regular source of income.
Pensioners have also raised concerns over the rising cost of food, healthcare and other basic needs, which has increased the pressure on fixed retirement incomes.
Sowore argued that people who devoted their working years to public service deserved to be treated with dignity after retirement.
He said the protesters were not demanding special treatment but asking authorities to fulfil obligations owed to them.
The controversy over the alleged tear-gassing also comes at a time when public protests remain an important way for Nigerians to draw attention to economic and social issues.
Across the country, workers, pensioners, students, civil society groups and other citizens have used demonstrations to demand action from government authorities.
While protests can sometimes lead to disruptions, rights groups and activists have repeatedly called on security agencies to use force only when necessary and proportionately.
Sowore’s reaction reflects his wider criticism of the government’s handling of protests and social grievances.
The AAC candidate has remained a vocal critic of successive administrations and has campaigned on issues including good governance, accountability, economic justice and stronger protection of citizens’ rights.
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, issues affecting workers, pensioners and other vulnerable groups are expected to remain part of the political debate.
The welfare of retirees is likely to attract particular attention because of Nigeria’s ageing population and the financial pressure faced by many pensioners.
Sowore said authorities should focus on resolving the pensioners’ grievances rather than treating them as a security threat.
He maintained that elderly citizens who had served the country deserved respect and should be able to demand their legitimate entitlements without fear of harassment.
The AAC candidate’s call for an investigation is also aimed at determining what happened during the protest and whether the use of tear gas was justified.
If officers are found to have acted outside the law or used excessive force, Sowore said they should be held accountable.
He urged the authorities to protect the dignity of the pensioners and address the issues that led them to protest in the first place.
The development has again highlighted the wider problem of pensioners struggling to obtain their benefits after decades of service.
For many retirees, the payment of pensions and gratuities is not simply a government obligation but a matter directly linked to their ability to afford food, medication, housing and other basic needs.
Sowore therefore urged the authorities to listen to the pensioners, resolve their outstanding claims and ensure that future protests over retirement benefits are handled peacefully.
He said pensioners should be treated with dignity and respect, rather than subjected to what he described as brutality.
The alleged incident is expected to generate further calls for an explanation from the relevant authorities and for measures to prevent a repeat of the confrontation.
For the protesting retirees, however, the main demand remains the same: the payment of benefits they say are owed to them after years of service.
Sowore said the government should respond to that demand through dialogue and action rather than force.