‘₦29,000 Cannot sustain a retired officer’ — Atiku challenges Tinubu on police pensions, proposes initiative

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of neglecting retired police officers, alleging that many are struggling to afford food, healthcare and other basic necessities despite decades of service to the country.

Atiku also called for an urgent resolution of the Police Exit Bill and a review of salaries for serving police officers, following the reported pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku expressed concern over the reported hardship facing retired officers and their families.

He said some retired police officers recently protested outside the National Assembly with their wives and children, demanding action on legislation they believe could improve their retirement conditions.

“Men and women who answered Nigeria’s call for decades are now waiting outside its legislature for Nigeria to answer theirs,” Atiku said, criticising the situation.

The former vice president recounted the experience of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who allegedly told him that his monthly pension was ₦29,000.

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

Atiku further narrated the case of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly struggled to survive after leaving service and resorted to seeking work, including cleaning jobs.

He said one of his media managers later encountered the woman begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja, prompting an intervention.

While expressing relief that assistance was provided, Atiku argued that individual interventions could not replace a dependable pension system for retired officers.

He also cited the experience of a retired police officer in Bauchi who, according to him, had resorted to gathering firewood for sale to afford food.

Atiku said such accounts raised concerns about the welfare of former officers who had spent years enforcing the law but were allegedly struggling to meet their basic needs in retirement.

The ADC chieftain also claimed that some serving police officers had withdrawn 25 per cent of their pension savings to provide for their families amid rising living costs.

He argued that increasing food, transport and medicine prices had placed additional pressure on officers whose salaries, he said, were no longer sufficient to meet household expenses.

Atiku maintained that the government had a responsibility to ensure that officers risking their lives to protect Nigerians could provide for their families while in service and after retirement.

Atiku Demands Action on Police Exit Bill

The former vice president said the Police Exit Bill was transmitted to President Tinubu in March and criticised the alleged delay in taking action on the legislation.

He cited Section 58 of the Constitution, arguing that the president had 30 days to signify assent or withhold it.

Atiku urged the National Assembly to publish the bill’s formal status, demand an explanation for the delay and clarify the constitutional steps available to move the matter forward.

He also called for any required legislative vote to be conducted openly, with lawmakers’ decisions made public.

According to him, retired officers should not have to stage protests outside the legislature to secure action on matters affecting their pensions and welfare.

Atiku Unveils Proposed Police Welfare Plan

Atiku said that if his administration assumed office in May 2027, it would introduce a Police Dignity Guarantee Plan aimed at addressing pension arrears, healthcare, salaries and retirement benefits.

Under the proposed plan, he said his government would audit and settle verified pension arrears and gratuity claims according to publicly announced payment schedules.

He also pledged to establish a minimum pension level and review it periodically in response to changes in the cost of living.

The proposed programme, according to Atiku, would include insured healthcare for serving and retired officers, treatment for personnel injured in the line of duty and timely support for families of officers killed while serving.

He further promised to introduce home-based verification for officers whose illnesses or disabilities prevented them from travelling, saying medical conditions should not prevent beneficiaries from receiving their entitlements.

On the welfare of serving personnel, Atiku said he would review police salaries to reduce the pressure on officers to withdraw their pension savings to meet household expenses.

He also proposed a system under which every officer would receive a clear record of pension contributions and entitlements before retirement, alongside a designated contact for resolving disputes and a dependable payment schedule.

Atiku said the proposed reforms would be backed by budgetary provisions and public reporting on payments made.

“Police officers have given Nigeria their strength and their years. Those who protect this country must be able to protect their families. And when their service ends, Nigeria must keep its word to them,” he said.

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