Abia Government Warns Public Against Fake Pension Verification Exercise Circulating Online

The Abia State Government has issued a strong warning to the public over a false message currently circulating on social media and various online platforms, claiming that a new State and Local Government Pension Verification Exercise will commence on Wednesday, October 16, 2025.

In a statement released by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government described the information as false, misleading, and unauthorized. He clarified that the verification exercise being referenced actually took place last year, in 2024, and that no such pension verification exercise is scheduled for 2025.

Prince Kanu urged members of the public, especially pensioners, to disregard the viral message and avoid presenting themselves at any purported verification venue, warning that no legitimate verification is taking place at this time.

He further assured that the Abia State Government remains fully committed to the welfare and well-being of all pensioners, emphasizing that Governor Alex Otti’s administration continues to uphold transparency, accountability, and due process in all pension-related matters.

The Commissioner advised residents to rely strictly on official government communication channels for verified information and to assist in spreading the clarification to curb the spread of misinformation.

The government reiterated its stance against the spread of fake news and urged the public to exercise caution and vigilance when accessing information from unofficial sources.