Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has unveiled a police welfare plan aimed at improving salaries, clearing outstanding pension arrears and providing healthcare for serving and retired police officers if elected president in 2027.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council, Atiku said his proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan would address longstanding challenges affecting police welfare.
He also demanded an immediate explanation on the status of the Police Exit Bill and called for an urgent review of police salaries following the pay increase approved for members of the armed forces.
Atiku said the plight of retired police officers reflected what he described as the government’s failure to adequately reward those who had devoted their lives to national service.
“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.
“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 faults Tinubu over Police Exit Bill
Atiku criticised the delay in resolving the Police Exit Bill, which he said was transmitted to President Bola Tinubu in March.
He cited Section 58 of the Constitution, arguing that the president was required to signify assent or withhold it within 30 days.
“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 said.
“He has given retired officers months of silence. Last week, they stood outside the National Assembly with their families, asking for an answer about the pensions they need to survive.”
The former vice-president urged the National Assembly to clarify the bill’s status and determine the constitutional steps available to lawmakers to resolve the matter.
He also called for transparency in any legislative vote required to address the issue.
“If a vote is required, hold it openly. Let every legislator’s name stand beside the decision,” he said.
“These officers enforced Nigeria’s laws for decades. They should not have to beg outside the legislature for its members to act.”
Atiku promises pension floor, healthcare for police officers
Outlining his proposed welfare plan, Atiku said his administration would audit and settle verified pension arrears and gratuity claims, with payment dates made public.
He also promised to establish a minimum pension threshold and review it periodically to reflect changes in the cost of living.
“If this government will not end this disgrace, I will act when I assume office in May 2027,” he said.
“My Police Dignity Guarantee Plan will begin with what Nigeria already owes. We will audit and settle verified pension arrears and gratuity claims against published payment dates.
“We will establish a pension floor and review it as the cost of living changes. No one who spent decades protecting Nigeria should have to sell firewood to eat or beg to buy medicine.”
Atiku said the plan would provide insured healthcare for serving and retired police officers, including those injured in the line of duty. He added that families of officers killed while serving would receive timely assistance.
“We will provide insured healthcare for officers in service and in retirement. An officer injured in the line of duty will receive treatment,” he said.
“A retiree living with paralysis will not be left to pay for care from a pension that cannot feed him. Families of officers killed in service will receive timely support.”
He also proposed home-based verification for retired officers who could not travel because of illness.
“And when illness prevents an officer from travelling, verification will come to that officer’s home. Sickness must never become a reason to withhold what someone has earned,” he said.
‘Police officers are spending retirement savings to survive’
Atiku raised concerns about the financial difficulties facing serving police officers, alleging that some had withdrawn part of their pension savings to meet household expenses.
He attributed the pressure on police personnel to rising living costs and salaries that, he said, had failed to keep pace with the cost of food, transport and medicine.
“I know serving police officers who have withdrawn 25% of their meagre pension savings to feed their children,” he said.
“Under Tinubu, the price of food, transport and medicine has risen beyond what their salaries can bear. Their pay cannot sustain them today, so they are spending the money meant to protect them tomorrow.”
He accused the federal government of failing to provide adequate support for officers deployed to confront armed criminals and pledged to review police salaries to reduce the need for personnel to dip into their retirement savings.
He also promised clearer pension records, designated contacts for resolving disputes and reliable payment schedules.
“We will review police pay so serving officers can feed their families without drawing down their pension savings,” he said.
“Before retirement, every officer will receive a clear record of contributions and entitlements, a named contact to resolve disputes, and a dependable payment date.”
Atiku said funding for the proposed welfare programme would be included in the federal budget, with payment records published to ensure transparency.
“We will provide for the Guarantee in the budget and publish what has been paid,” he added.
“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.”
