Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the recent directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, warning that the move has raised serious safety concerns among federal lawmakers.
Akpabio made the plea on Friday during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja. In remarks directed at the president, the Senate President said several lawmakers feared they might be unable to return to their homes safely following the withdrawal of their security details.
“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,” Akpabio said during the budget presentation. “On that note, we plead with Mr President for a review of the decision.”
The appeal came barely weeks after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons, including political office holders, as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and redeploy personnel to frontline policing duties across the country.
The presidential directive, issued on November 23, followed a high-level security meeting between the president, service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services. According to the presidency, the decision was informed by growing concerns over insecurity, particularly in communities affected by kidnapping, banditry and violent crime.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explained at the time that the withdrawal of police orderlies from VIPs was aimed at freeing up manpower for conventional policing. He said the administration was determined to boost police visibility and responsiveness, especially in rural and underserved areas where security threats have persisted.
Under the directive, individuals requiring personal security protection are expected to seek alternative arrangements through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other legally recognised security agencies. The move, according to the Federal Government, is intended to restore the police to their core mandate of protecting the wider population rather than serving as escorts for a privileged few.
However, Akpabio’s intervention highlights growing unease within the legislature over the implications of the policy for the personal safety of lawmakers, many of whom represent constituencies affected by violent crime and insecurity. Some lawmakers, according to sources within the National Assembly, believe the withdrawal exposes them to heightened risks, particularly while travelling to and from Abuja or within their constituencies.
The Senate President’s public appeal underscored the sensitivity of the issue, especially given the symbolic setting of the president’s annual budget presentation, a key moment in Nigeria’s democratic and governance calendar. His comments were greeted with murmurs of approval from some lawmakers in the chamber, reflecting broader concerns within the legislature.
Security analysts say the debate illustrates the tension between the government’s objective of strengthening public security and the expectations of political office holders accustomed to police protection. While the Tinubu administration argues that redeploying police personnel will improve safety for the general population, critics contend that the transition requires careful calibration to avoid unintended consequences.
Some lawmakers have argued that the nature of their duties exposes them to specific security threats, including politically motivated attacks, constituency-related disputes and criminal targeting. They insist that adequate protection is necessary to enable them to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without fear.
Supporters of the president’s directive, however, have defended the move as a long-overdue reform of Nigeria’s security architecture. They argue that the widespread deployment of police officers as personal escorts has weakened conventional policing and contributed to the shortage of personnel in communities facing serious security challenges.
Civil society groups and security reform advocates have also welcomed the directive, noting that Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio remains far below international standards. They argue that redeploying officers from VIP duties to patrols, investigations and rapid response units could help restore public confidence in law enforcement.
The Federal Government has maintained that the policy does not leave public officials unprotected, pointing to the role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other agencies in providing lawful security support. Officials have also stressed that any individual with legitimate security concerns can apply for protection through established channels.
Nevertheless, Akpabio’s plea suggests that further consultations may be required to address the concerns of lawmakers and ensure a smooth implementation of the policy. Political observers say the president may face pressure to either modify the directive or introduce transitional measures that balance public security needs with the safety of elected officials.
As of Friday, the presidency had not issued an official response to Akpabio’s appeal. It remains unclear whether President Tinubu will review or adjust the directive in light of the concerns raised by the leadership of the National Assembly.
The issue adds another layer to the broader national conversation on security reform, policing priorities and the equitable allocation of state resources. As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges, the outcome of this debate is likely to shape public perceptions of both the government’s commitment to reform and its responsiveness to the concerns of key stakeholders.
For now, the Senate President’s intervention has brought the matter into sharp national focus, setting the stage for further dialogue between the executive and legislative arms of government on how best to secure both the state and those entrusted with its governance.
