By Quazeem Halimot Bukola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the welfare of retired and serving police officers, accusing the Federal Government of neglecting their financial and healthcare needs.
Atiku also called for an urgent decision on the Police Exit Bill and a review of police salaries, following the recent pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.
The former vice president made his position known in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
He expressed concern over reports of retired police officers struggling to afford food, medication and other basic necessities despite spending decades in public service.
Atiku cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives a monthly pension of ₦29,000. According to him, the retired officer disclosed that more than 120 members of his association had died within three years.
He also recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly resorted to seeking menial jobs to survive before being found begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja.
Atiku said his media team member recognised the woman and brought her situation to his attention, prompting an intervention to provide assistance.
However, he maintained that such interventions could only provide temporary relief and could not replace a dependable pension system.
The former vice president further described the case of a retired police officer in Bauchi who reportedly resorted to gathering firewood for sale to afford food, lamenting that former officers were being left to struggle despite their years of service to the country.
He also alleged that some serving police officers had withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to meet their families’ daily needs amid rising food, transportation and healthcare costs.
Atiku argued that the situation placed additional financial pressure on officers who risk their lives combating crime while remaining uncertain about their financial security after retirement.
On the Police Exit Bill, he said the proposed legislation had been sent to Tinubu in March but remained unresolved as of October.
He referenced Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides a 30-day period for the President to signify assent or withhold assent to a bill presented to him.
Atiku urged the President to clarify the status of the bill, while calling on the National Assembly to publish its formal status, demand an explanation for the delay and determine the appropriate constitutional steps to move the process forward.
He also called for transparency in the legislative process, insisting that lawmakers should publicly account for decisions affecting the welfare of retired police officers.
The former vice president subsequently unveiled his proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan, promising to implement the initiative if elected president in May 2027.
According to him, the plan would prioritise the verification and settlement of outstanding pension arrears and gratuity claims, with payment schedules made public.
He said the proposed programme would also introduce a minimum pension threshold subject to periodic reviews to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Other components of the plan include insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, timely assistance for families of officers killed in the line of duty and improved access to pension verification for retirees whose health conditions prevent them from travelling.
Atiku also pledged to review police salaries to ensure serving officers could meet their families’ needs without withdrawing money from their retirement savings.
He added that officers approaching retirement would receive clear records of their pension contributions and entitlements, designated contacts for resolving disputes and reliable payment schedules.
The proposed programme, he said, would be supported by budgetary provisions and public reporting on payments made.
Atiku maintained that the government had a responsibility to ensure that officers who dedicated their lives to protecting the country could provide for their families during service and enjoy financial security after retirement.
The Federal Government had not responded to the allegations and proposals in the statement at the time of writing.
