The Senate has moved to ease rising tension at the National Assembly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured protesting retired police officers that their demand to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is finally nearing resolution.
Earlier on Thursday, dozens of retired police officers blocked the entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja, accusing the Senate of delaying concurrence on a bill already passed by the House of Representatives to exempt the Nigeria Police Force from the CPS.
The Contributory Pension Scheme, introduced in 2004, has faced strong objections from security agencies who argue that its structure leaves personnel financially vulnerable after retirement. While the military, DSS, and NIA have all been exempted, the police remain the only major security institution still under the scheme — a situation that has triggered repeated protests nationwide.
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Addressing the retirees, Akpabio assured them that the Senate would act swiftly to harmonise with the House of Representatives and end the prolonged controversy.
- “The policy, from what you have told us, was not well thought out. But take it that you have to disperse from the gate — that problem, as far as the law is concerned, is over,” he said.
Akpabio criticised past policymakers for adopting foreign pension models without considering Nigeria’s unique realities, insisting that such oversight had caused unnecessary hardship for security personnel.
- “Sometimes our country is fantastic at copying policies without thinking of the implications. Many of you wouldn’t have died if the right decisions had been taken.
On Tuesday next week, we will concur with what the House of Representatives has done and produce an Act exiting you from the scheme.
I know President Bola Tinubu, being a listening President, will sign it into law,” he added.
The Senate President also questioned why police officers were still trapped in the CPS when their counterparts in the military and other elite security agencies had already been exempted.
- “If the military, DSS, NIA, and others have exited, I see no reason why the police should remain. You all fought insecurity together.
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. We will ensure the scheme is the same from the IG to the last constable,” he stated.
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Leader of the retirees, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria, thanked the Senate for granting them an audience and expressed confidence that the long-awaited reform will finally be implemented.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in a vote of thanks, praised Akpabio for showing immediate concern over the plight of retired police officers.
Thursday’s assurances mark the clearest indication yet that the Senate is prepared to harmonise and pass the police exemption bill — a demand that has fuelled years of protests and deep frustration among retired personnel who say they have been forced to survive on inadequate pension payments under the current scheme.
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