Atiku Tackles Tinubu Over Police Exit Bill

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the delay in acting on the Police Exit Bill, calling for urgent measures to address the welfare concerns of serving and retired police officers.

Atiku said the government should explain why the legislation, which seeks to remove the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, had yet to receive a publicly stated decision from the President.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku highlighted reports of retired officers struggling to survive on low pensions and serving personnel facing financial difficulties.

He cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives a monthly pension of ₦29,000. Atiku also referred to accounts of retired officers seeking menial work or begging for assistance after years of service.

The former vice-president further alleged that some serving police officers had withdrawn part of their pension savings to meet their families’ basic needs.

He argued that the situation required urgent attention, including a review of police salaries and action on the pension concerns raised by retirees.

On the Police Exit Bill, Atiku said the National Assembly had transmitted the legislation to Tinubu in March 2026 but that the President’s position remained unclear as of October.

Citing Section 58 of the Constitution, he argued that the President was required to indicate assent or withhold assent within 30 days of receiving a bill and called for an explanation of the delay.

Atiku also urged the National Assembly to make the bill’s formal status public and examine the constitutional options available to resolve the matter.

He pledged that, if elected president in 2027, he would introduce a proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan. The plan, as outlined in his statement, would include settling verified pension arrears and gratuity claims, establishing a minimum pension level, providing healthcare coverage and supporting families of officers killed in service.

It would also provide for a police salary review, improved records of pension contributions and entitlements, and publicly available payment schedules.

The Police Exit Bill has become a major issue for retired police officers, who have called for the force’s removal from the contributory pension system and a different arrangement for retirement benefits. The bill’s status and the government’s next steps remain central to the debate over police welfare.