By: ABC News Nigeria
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken another swipe at President Bola Tinubu over the plight of retired police officers, lamenting that men and women who risked their lives to protect Nigerians are now struggling to secure their own livelihoods after retirement.
Atiku said it was disturbing that former police personnel, after years of dedicated service to the country, had been reduced to staging protests at the National Pension Commission (PenCom) just to demand their legitimate retirement benefits.
In a statement issued on October 2, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of abandoning retired officers to a pension system he described as broken.
He questioned how a government could deploy police officers to protect the powerful but fail to guarantee their welfare when they leave active service.
According to him, the situation raises serious questions about the country’s commitment to the welfare of those on the frontlines of the fight against insecurity.
Atiku, who expressed concern over the retirees’ repeated protests, disclosed that he had directed his team to meet with the affected officers and hear their complaints firsthand.
He also faulted President Tinubu for allegedly failing to act on the Police Exit Bill, which he said had remained on the President’s desk since March.
The former Vice President described the treatment of retired officers as a case of using and dumping personnel who spent their working lives protecting the country, including its political leaders, only to face uncertainty when they need government support most.
As part of his proposed solution, Atiku unveiled his Police Dignity Guarantee Plan, promising to place the welfare and retirement security of police personnel at the centre of his security agenda.
The plan includes pushing for the passage of the Police Exit Bill, restoring gratuity payments to retired officers and ensuring better welfare packages for personnel throughout their careers.
He further promised that, if elected President, his administration would implement the Police Pension Board Bill within 30 days of taking office.
“Insecurity cannot be defeated while those who protect the country are denied security in retirement,” Atiku declared.
He maintained that officers who dedicate their lives to protecting Nigerians deserve a retirement free from humiliation, uncertainty and financial hardship.
The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
About The Author
