Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday, December 19, 2025, publicly appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, citing heightened security risks for legislators. The plea was made during a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, where President Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Akpabio, speaking shortly after welcoming the President, conveyed concerns directly from lawmakers. "As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some members of the National Assembly said I should let you know that they may not be able to go home today," he stated. He added that the withdrawal could expose legislators to danger, concluding: "On that note, we plead with Mr. President for a review of the decision."
The appeal highlights tensions between the executive's push to redeploy police resources and lawmakers' personal security needs amid Nigeria's persistent insecurity challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.
President Tinubu issued the original directive on November 23, 2025, following a high-level security meeting with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). The order mandated the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), redirecting them to core policing duties such as community patrols and frontline operations. VIPs requiring protection were instructed to seek armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) instead.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga explained the rationale as addressing "current security challenges," aiming to boost police presence in vulnerable communities, particularly remote areas. The move also coincided with approvals for recruiting additional officers to bolster manpower.
Akpabio's intervention reflects broader unease among federal legislators, some of whom have argued that the policy disproportionately affects elected officials while sparing certain categories. Earlier debates in the Senate highlighted selective implementation, with complaints that family members of high-ranking officials or business figures retained escorts.
The Senate President's remarks came against the backdrop of the 2026 budget presentation, titled a "Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity." Akpabio praised the administration's reforms but used the platform to underscore the National Assembly's partnership while raising practical concerns for members' safety during the yuletide period and beyond.
Analysts view the plea as a delicate balancing act: supporting the President's security reforms while advocating for exemptions or alternatives for lawmakers, who often travel to constituencies plagued by insecurity. The directive aims to free up thousands of officers currently on non-essential escort duties, addressing long-standing criticisms of resource misallocation in the Nigeria Police Force.
No immediate response from the Presidency was reported during the session, though previous statements reaffirmed commitment to the policy. Implementation has been gradual, with reports of ongoing withdrawals prompting similar concerns from other VIP categories.
This development underscores ongoing debates over VIP security privileges in Nigeria, where police manpower shortages have long hampered effective crime prevention. As the festive season approaches, lawmakers' fears of traveling without protection resonate with broader public anxieties over safety on highways and in rural areas.
The National Assembly has supported enhanced security funding in past budgets, and Akpabio reiterated legislative readiness to collaborate on reforms. However, the appeal signals potential pushback if perceived risks to representatives remain unaddressed.
