By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to explain the delay in taking action on the Police Exit Bill, expressing concern over the financial difficulties facing serving and retired police officers in Nigeria.

Atiku alleged that some serving officers have been forced to withdraw from their pension savings to provide for their families, while retired personnel struggle to survive on inadequate monthly payments despite spending decades in public service.

He said the situation required urgent government intervention, including a review of police salaries, improved pension arrangements and the settlement of outstanding entitlements owed to retired officers.

Atiku made the call in a statement issued on October 18 by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

In the statement, the former vice president described the reported living conditions of some retired police officers as disturbing, citing cases of former personnel who allegedly resorted to menial jobs and begging to meet their basic needs.

“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,” Atiku said.

He recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives a monthly pension of ₦29,000.

According to Atiku, the retired officer also informed him that more than 120 members of his association had died within the past three years.

The former vice president further cited the case of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly resorted to begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja after struggling to secure employment.

Atiku argued that former officers who dedicated their lives to protecting the country should not have to experience extreme hardship before receiving the support they deserve.

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

He also referred to the situation of a retired police officer in Bauchi State who allegedly gathers firewood for sale to earn money for food.

Beyond the difficulties facing retirees, Atiku claimed that some serving police officers had withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to meet their families’ immediate needs.

He questioned the situation in which officers are expected to risk their lives in the line of duty while struggling to provide for their households and secure their financial future after retirement.

“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 stated.

Atiku demands explanation over Police Exit Bill

Atiku also questioned the delay in the presidential action on the Police Exit Bill, which he said was transmitted to Tinubu in March 2026.

According to him, the President had yet to publicly indicate whether he would assent to the legislation or withhold his approval as of October.

The former vice president cited Section 58 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides a 30-day period for the President to signify assent or withhold it from a bill presented for approval.

He demanded that the President explain the status of the legislation and clarify the reasons for the delay.

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

He urged the National Assembly to make the bill’s formal status public, seek an explanation from the executive and establish the constitutional options available to address the situation.

Atiku maintained that resolving the matter was important to improving the welfare of police personnel and providing financial security for officers who had completed their service.

Atiku promises police welfare reforms if elected in 2027

The former vice president also outlined proposed police welfare reforms should he win the 2027 presidential election.

He said his administration would introduce a programme called the Police Dignity Guarantee Plan, aimed at addressing pension-related concerns and improving support for serving and retired personnel.

According to him, the proposed initiative would prioritise the settlement of verified pension arrears and gratuity claims, as well as the introduction of a minimum pension threshold to protect retired officers from severe financial hardship.

The plan would also provide healthcare coverage for serving and retired police personnel and ensure that families of officers who die while performing their duties receive timely assistance.

Other proposed measures include a review of police salaries, improved documentation of pension contributions and entitlements, and the publication of payment schedules to strengthen transparency and accountability.

Atiku said the proposed programme would receive budgetary provisions, with details of payments made available to the public.

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

The former vice president’s intervention has placed police welfare and the status of the Police Exit Bill at the centre of renewed calls for reforms to improve the financial security of serving officers, retirees and families of personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.