Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged President Bola Tinubu to rethink his decision to withdraw police orderlies from National Assembly members, expressing concerns about their safety.
Akpabio made this request on Friday during the presentation of the 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.
He noted that some lawmakers were worried about their ability to return home safely after the withdrawal of their security personnel.
“As we instruct security agencies to remove police from critical areas, some members of the National Assembly have expressed that they might not be able to go home today. Therefore, we respectfully ask Mr. President to reconsider this decision.”
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It is important to note that President Tinubu had ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) on November 23, directing that they be reassigned to essential policing duties nationwide.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated that Tinubu made this decision following a security meeting with military leaders and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in response to increasing security challenges in the country.
Under this directive, VIPs in need of security are expected to seek assistance from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as the federal government aims to enhance police presence in communities, especially in remote areas facing insecurity.
