Akpabio Appeals to Tinubu to Review Withdrawal of Police from VIPs

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the decision to withdraw police officers attached to Very Important Persons, VIPs, across the country.

InfoStride News reports that President Tinubu recently ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel providing security to VIPs, with the Presidency explaining that the officers would be redeployed to core policing duties in communities nationwide.

Following the announcement, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, described the decision as mere political theatrics, insisting that the withdrawal would not be effectively implemented.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, had argued that the move was only a political gesture and failed to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

However, the police have since commenced the implementation of the directive, a development that has drawn strong reactions from members of the National Assembly.

Several lawmakers have raised concerns over the policy, warning that their lives could be at risk without adequate security.

Addressing President Tinubu during the presentation of the 2026 Budget on the floor of the Senate on Friday, Akpabio spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appealing for a reconsideration of the directive.

“Some members of the National Assembly say I should let you know that they may not be able to go home today. We plead with the President to review the decision,” Akpabio said.