Godswill Akpabio
After days of peaceful protest at the gates of the National Assembly, retired police officers finally received the assurance they had been waiting for: the Senate will remove them from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio delivered the message on Thursday during a meeting with the leadership of the protesting retirees. His tone was firm and unequivocal.
“From what you’ve told us, this policy was not well thought out,” Akpabio said. “But take it today that your problem is over. You can disperse from the gate. By Tuesday, we will concur with the House of Representatives and pass the Act exiting you from the scheme. And President Bola Tinubu, being a listening leader, will sign it into law.”
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying the CPS is “certainly not good for security personnel,” especially when the military, DSS, NIA, and others have already been exempted.
“If those at the top of the services are out of it, why should the police—who faced the same dangers—remain?” he asked. “What is good for the goose is good for the gander. We will ensure the same treatment from the Inspector-General down to the last Constable.”
Akpabio criticised Nigeria’s habit of adopting policies without considering their human impact. “Sometimes our country is fantastic at copying,” he said. “But when you copy without thinking through the implications, people suffer. Many of you have died because of this.”
The leader of the retirees, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria, expressed gratitude for being granted access to the Senate President, saying his members were encouraged by the swift attention to their plight.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in his vote of thanks, praised Akpabio for his prompt and empathetic response.