Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the Federal Government’s directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, warning that the decision could expose lawmakers to security risks.
Akpabio made the appeal on Friday during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. He said some lawmakers had expressed fears that they might be unable to return home safely following the withdrawal of their police escorts.
“As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some members of the National Assembly said I should let you know they may not be able to go home today,” Akpabio told the President.
“On that note, we plead with Mr President for a review of the decision, ”he added.
President Tinubu had on November 23 ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties nationwide.
The directive, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, followed a security meeting with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) amid rising security challenges.
Under the policy, VIPs requiring protection are to seek security coverage from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as part of efforts to strengthen police presence in communities, especially remote areas affected by insecurity.
Tinubu later reaffirmed the directive on December 10, shortly before presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting, expressing displeasure over delays in its implementation.
He instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Civil Defence Corps to immediately replace withdrawn escorts to prevent exposure to danger.
“I honestly believe in what I said. It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance. The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed, ”Mr President said.
The directive has, however, generated tension in the Senate, with lawmakers raising concerns over what they described as selective enforcement. Senator Abdul Ningi was quoted as saying the policy should be applied uniformly across all levels of government.
“It should be done across the board—from the office of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, ministers, and others. I have been in public service since 1999 and have never kept more than one police orderly, yet mine was withdrawn without prior notice, ”he added.
He also questioned why ministers, business tycoons, entertainers and relatives of political office holders still move around with multiple security personnel, while serving lawmakers are left unprotected.
“I cannot imagine that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would have his only orderly withdrawn while others retain theirs,” he concluded.
