Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted President Bola Tinubu over the alleged neglect of retired police officers, accusing his administration of leaving former members of the force to struggle despite their years of service to the nation.
Atiku said the affected officers had been left at the mercy of a dysfunctional pension system, compelling them to stage protests at the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to demand their outstanding entitlements and a retirement life free from hardship.
In a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described the situation as unacceptable, arguing that officers who risked their lives to safeguard Nigerians should not be forced to protest before receiving their lawful benefits.
He said, “A government that can deploy police officers to protect the powerful but cannot protect them in retirement has failed them utterly.”
The former vice-president also questioned the Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity, maintaining that the poor treatment of retired police personnel contradicted the government’s position on national security and the importance of those responsible for maintaining law and order.
He challenged the government to explain why officers who dedicated their working lives to public service should face humiliation while seeking their retirement benefits.
“If police officers who served this country must endure humiliation to demand a fair pension, what hope is there for other Nigerians who have spent their working lives in public service?” he asked.
Atiku said the development was deeply concerning and disclosed that he had instructed members of his team to engage directly with the protesting retirees to understand their complaints and listen to their demands.
He further criticised Tinubu for allegedly failing to take action on the Police Exit Bill, which the statement said had been awaiting presidential consideration since March.
The ADC candidate condemned what he characterised as a “use and discard” approach to police welfare, accusing the government of abandoning personnel who spent their active years protecting ordinary citizens and political office holders after they left the service.
As part of his proposed reforms, Atiku introduced a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan, which he said would place the welfare, financial stability and retirement security of police personnel at the centre of his administration’s priorities.
The proposed package includes immediate attention to the Police Exit Bill, reinstatement of gratuity payments for retired officers and improved welfare provisions for personnel throughout their years of service and after retirement. He also promised to ensure the implementation of the Police Pension Board Bill within 30 days of taking office.
“Insecurity cannot be defeated while those who protect the country are denied security in retirement. My Police Dignity Guarantee Plan will ensure that officers who serve Nigeria are properly supported throughout their careers and are not abandoned when they retire,” Atiku said.
The latest criticism comes weeks after an earlier statement issued by Atiku on October 18, in which he accused the Tinubu administration of exposing retired police officers to hunger, sickness and indignity while serving personnel were allegedly forced to draw from their pension contributions to meet family responsibilities.
During that intervention, the ADC presidential candidate demanded clarification over the delay in signing the Police Exit Bill. He equally called for an urgent upward review of police salaries, particularly following the salary adjustment approved for members of the Armed Forces.
To illustrate the situation facing retired personnel, Atiku referenced the experience of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives N29,000 as monthly pension.
“What would you even buy with N29,000?” Atiku quoted the retired officer as asking.
He further disclosed that the retired policeman had informed him that over 120 members of his association of former police personnel had died within a three-year period.
Atiku also highlighted the circumstances of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly turned to begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja after struggling unsuccessfully to find another source of income following her retirement.
According to him, one of his media managers encountered the former senior officer while she was begging and subsequently brought her situation to his attention, leading to an intervention.
However, Atiku maintained that individual acts of assistance could not provide a lasting solution to the challenges confronting retired police personnel, insisting that government-backed pension security and proper retirement arrangements were necessary to protect them from poverty.
He also faulted the president’s prolonged silence on the Police Exit Bill, arguing that the delay raised constitutional concerns because of the provisions governing presidential assent to legislation.
“The Police Exit Bill was sent to Bola in March. It is now October. Section 58 of the Constitution gave him thirty days to signify assent or withhold it. He has given retired officers months of silence,” he said.
The former vice-president called on the National Assembly to make the bill’s current status public, seek an explanation from the presidency over the delay and establish the constitutional options available for resolving the matter.
He further urged federal lawmakers to ensure transparency in handling the legislation, including conducting an open legislative process should a vote become necessary.
Atiku insisted that former police officers should not be compelled to take to the streets or stage protests before their pension concerns receive the attention of the authorities, stressing that those who dedicated their productive years to protecting the country deserved dignity and financial security after retirement.
