The newly elected chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Michael Vembe, has said the new leadership will reconcile and unite aggrieved members of the union.

Mr Vembe, who made the disclosure during an interview on Thursday in Makurdi, said that the move was to ensure that members were on the same page.

The chairman stated that the move was imperative to calm frayed nerves following the just-concluded elections.

According to him, the support of members, including those that contested against him, is needed to move NUP to greater heights.

He said, “In every competition, even in football, you must have winners. And that is why I was the winner. I’m not saying I was the best, but the majority of the members saw my experience and contribution to the growth of NUP and decided to elect me for another term. There is no victor or vanquished because it is a family affair. Now that the elections are over, it is important for us to stick together. 

“Some of the contestants had their own ideas and plans. That’s why I intend to reach out to all of them. I will call them, visit them, and invite them to a roundtable discussion with them. They may have ideas that can help, and I’m open to listening. If one person has two or three good ideas and another has a few more, I can combine them with mine and make better decisions.

“I don’t want to push them away. Everyone who contests has something valuable to offer, and I believe we can work together for the success and growth of NUP.”

(NAN)