Atiku Faults Tinubu Over Police Pension Crisis, Demands Action

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain the delay in acting on the Police Exit Bill, alleging that serving police officers are withdrawing from their pension savings to feed their families while retired personnel struggle to survive on meagre pensions.

Atiku said the situation highlighted the urgent need to improve police welfare through a salary review and the resolution of pension concerns raised by retired officers, particularly following the pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.

In a statement issued on October 18 by African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council Director of Strategic Communication Phrank Shaibu, Atiku recounted cases of retired officers allegedly struggling to survive on inadequate pensions, resorting to menial jobs and begging for alms after decades of service.

“Men and women who answered Nigeria’s call for decades are now waiting outside its legislature for Nigeria to answer theirs. Bola Tinubu should be ashamed that it has come to this,” he said.

Atiku cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who allegedly receives a monthly pension of ₦29,000 and told him that more than 120 members of his association had died in the past three years.

He also recounted the case of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly resorted to begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja after failing to secure employment.

“No former officer should have to be discovered in distress before Nigeria remembers what it owes her,” Atiku said.

He further cited the case of a retired police officer in Bauchi who allegedly gathers firewood for sale to afford food, while some serving officers have reportedly withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to meet their families’ needs.

“We ask them to risk their lives for Nigeria while they wonder how to feed their families and whether their country will stand by them when their service ends. That is a disgrace,” he said.

On the Police Exit Bill, Atiku said the legislation was transmitted to Tinubu in March, but the President had yet to make his position known as of October.

Citing Section 58 of the Constitution, he argued that the President had 30 days to signify assent to a bill or withhold it after it was presented for assent. He therefore demanded an explanation for the delay in addressing the legislation.

“Bola, a bill gathering dust cannot buy food or medicine. Tell Nigerians what you have done with it,” he said.

Atiku called on the National Assembly to publish the bill’s formal status, demand an explanation from the Presidency and determine the constitutional steps available to resolve the matter.

He also pledged to introduce a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan if elected president in 2027, promising to settle verified pension arrears and gratuity claims, establish a minimum pension level and provide healthcare coverage for serving and retired officers.

The proposed plan would also include timely support for the families of officers killed in service, a review of police salaries, improved records of pension contributions and entitlements, and the publication of payment schedules to strengthen accountability.

“We will provide for the Guarantee in the budget and publish what has been paid,” he said.

Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE

Koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep