Atiku Demands Salary Review For Police Officers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of abandoning retired law enforcement officials to starvation, sickness and humiliation whereas serving officers draw down their pension financial savings to feed their households.

He demanded a right away reply on the Police Exit Bill and an pressing wage overview for serving officers, following the pay enhance accredited for members of the Armed Forces.

In an announcement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku mentioned: “Retired law enforcement officials stood on the gates of the National Assembly with their wives and youngsters. Some of these youngsters carried placards pleading for a legislation that might assist their mother and father survive. Men and ladies who answered Nigeria’s name for many years are actually ready outdoors its legislature for Nigeria to reply theirs. Bola Tinubu ought to be ashamed that it has come to this.

“A retired Assistant Superintendent of Police sat with me and advised me his month-to-month pension is ₦29,000. ‘What would you even buy with ₦29,000?’ he requested. He mentioned greater than 120 members of his affiliation of retired officers have died within the final three years. Bola, sit with these officers. Look them within the eye. Tell them the way you count on them to reside.

“I’ve not been capable of cease interested by a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police. After years of serving Nigeria, she went searching for work and mentioned she would even clear to outlive. One of my media managers later discovered her begging on the Central Mosque in Abuja. He got here straight to me, and we intervened.

“I’m relieved that we might assist her. But what if my employees member had not recognised her? How many different retired officers are in the identical place, with nobody to name? Our intervention might assist one girl in that second. It couldn’t give her the safe retirement she earned.

“Bola, she rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. She served this nation, but she was discovered begging for assist. Why did it take an opportunity encounter for anybody to behave? No former officer ought to must be found in misery earlier than Nigeria remembers what it owes her.

“In Bauchi, the retired Assistant Superintendent noticed a former colleague gathering firewood to promote so he might purchase meals. People nonetheless referred to as out to him, ‘Officer.’ Imagine bearing that title after a lifetime of service whereas trying to find your subsequent meal. Nigeria remembers his uniform however has forgotten the person inside it.

“I do know serving law enforcement officials who’ve withdrawn 25% of their meagre pension financial savings to feed their youngsters. Under Tinubu, the worth of meals, transport and medication has risen past what their salaries can bear. Their pay can not maintain them immediately, so they’re spending the cash meant to guard them tomorrow.

“Tinubu made life costly, and even the officers he sends to confront armed criminals are being pushed into poverty. We ask them to threat their lives for Nigeria whereas they surprise tips on how to feed their households and whether or not their nation will stand by them when their service ends. That is a shame.

“The Police Exit Bill was despatched to Bola in March. It is now October. Section 58 of the Constitution gave him thirty days to suggest assent or withhold it. He has given retired officers months of silence. Last week, they stood outdoors the National Assembly with their households, asking for a solution in regards to the pensions they should survive. Bola, a invoice gathering mud can not purchase meals or medication. Tell Nigerians what you may have completed with it.

“The National Assembly should publish the invoice’s formal standing, demand a proof for the delay and decide the constitutional steps now out there. If a vote is required, maintain it brazenly. Let each legislator’s title stand beside the choice. These officers enforced Nigeria’s legal guidelines for many years. They shouldn’t must beg outdoors the legislature for its members to behave.

“If this authorities won’t finish this shame, I’ll act once I assume workplace in May 2027. My Police Dignity Guarantee Plan will start with what Nigeria already owes. We will audit and settle verified pension arrears and gratuity claims towards revealed fee dates. We will set up a pension flooring and overview it as the price of residing adjustments. No one who spent many years defending Nigeria ought to must promote firewood to eat or beg to purchase medication.

“We will present insured healthcare for officers in service and in retirement. An officer injured within the line of responsibility will obtain remedy. A retiree residing with paralysis won’t be left to pay for care from a pension that can’t feed him. Families of officers killed in service will obtain well timed assist. And when sickness prevents an officer from travelling, verification will come to that officer’s house. Sickness mustn’t ever grow to be a cause to withhold what somebody has earned.

“We will overview police pay so serving officers can feed their households with out drawing down their pension financial savings. Before retirement, each officer will obtain a transparent report of contributions and entitlements, a named contact to resolve disputes, and a reliable fee date. We will present for the Guarantee within the price range and publish what has been paid.

“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.”