Precious Nwonu, Enugu
African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the welfare of retired police officers, urging the Federal Government to act on the proposed Police Exit Bill and review the salaries of serving personnel.
Atiku alleged that retired officers were battling poverty, hunger and inadequate access to healthcare, while some serving policemen were withdrawing part of their pension savings to meet their families’ basic needs.
The former Vice President made the demands in a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
He challenged Tinubu and the National Assembly to explain the status of the Police Exit Bill, which he said was transmitted for presidential assent in March.
The proposed legislation seeks to exempt police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme and establish a Nigeria Police Force Pension Board to manage their retirement benefits.
Atiku also called for a salary review for serving police officers following the recent pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.
He argued that officers who risk their lives to protect Nigerians should receive adequate remuneration during service and dependable financial support after retirement.
“Retired police officers stood at the gates of the National Assembly with their wives and children. Some of those children carried placards pleading for a law that could help their parents survive,” he said.
Atiku cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who, according to him, received a monthly pension of N29,000.
He also claimed that more than 120 members of the retired officer’s association had died within three years.
The ADC candidate urged Tinubu to engage directly with retired officers to understand their living conditions.
“Bola, sit with these officers. Look them in the eye. Tell them how you expect them to live,” he said.
Atiku further recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police whom he said had resorted to seeking work to survive.
According to him, one of his media managers later found the retired officer begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja, prompting an intervention.
He also described an incident in Bauchi in which a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police reportedly encountered a former colleague gathering firewood for sale to obtain money for food.
Atiku said such experiences reflected the difficulties faced by former officers who had spent years serving the country.
He maintained that serving personnel were also under financial pressure as rising food, transportation and healthcare costs continued to erode their earnings.
“I know serving police officers who have withdrawn 25% of their meagre pension savings to feed their children,” he said.
The former Vice President argued that the situation could undermine the welfare of officers who were expected to confront armed criminals while worrying about their families’ basic needs and their own retirement.
On the proposed legislation, Atiku cited Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, arguing that the President had 30 days to assent to a bill or withhold assent.
He called on the National Assembly to publish the bill’s formal status, explain any delay and clarify the constitutional options available.
“The National Assembly must publish the bill’s formal status, demand an explanation for the delay and determine the constitutional steps now available,” he said.
Atiku also urged lawmakers to conduct any required vote openly, insisting that legislators should be accountable for their decisions on the welfare of retired police officers.
The ADC candidate pledged that, if elected president, his administration would introduce a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan to address pension arrears, gratuities, healthcare and remuneration.
He promised to audit verified outstanding pension and gratuity claims, publish payment schedules and establish a minimum pension level that would be reviewed in line with changes in the cost of living.
Atiku also proposed insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, treatment for personnel injured while on duty and timely support for families of officers killed in service.
He said retirees who were too ill to travel would be able to complete verification exercises from their homes.
The presidential hopeful further pledged to review police salaries and provide serving officers with clear records of their pension contributions and entitlements before retirement.
He said his proposed plan would be backed by budgetary provisions and regular public disclosures on payments made.
The allegations and proposals were contained in a statement from Atiku’s campaign council. The statement did not include a response from the Presidency or the National Assembly regarding the status of the bill.