The Senate on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to exempt lawmakers from his recent order to withdraw police personnel from VIPs, citing concerns over lawmakers’ personal security.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, presiding over Wednesday’s plenary, made the appeal following a complaint from Kebbi Central Senator Abdul Ningi, who revealed that his sole police orderly had been removed. Ningi noted that while he lost his security officer, children of political officeholders, Chinese business officials, entertainers, and others still enjoy large security details.
Jibrin explained that the Senate leadership met on Tuesday to discuss the matter and decided to appeal to the president for both an exemption for lawmakers and the reinstatement of officers already withdrawn. He expressed confidence that President Tinubu, whom he described as a listening leader, would give due consideration to the request.
The appeal comes in the wake of President Tinubu’s directive on 23 November mandating the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIPs nationwide. The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has begun implementing the order.
