Akpabio cries out to Tinubu over withdrawal of police orderlies

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has on Friday told President Bola Tinubu that some members of the National Assembly many not be able to travel home during the yuletide because of withdrawal of their police orderlies.

Akpabio said this in the speech he delivered before President Tinubu began presentation of the 2026 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on Friday.

Recall that President Tinubu had some weeks ago directed withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs as part of his bid to tackle insecurity confronting the nation.

The President had also directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over the responsibility of providing security for the VIPs.

However, members of the National Assembly had complained that the withdrawal of the police officers will put their lives at risk.

Voicing the concerns of his colleagues, in his welcome address, Akpabio, told Tinubu on Friday that lawmakers are afraid of travelling as a result of withdrawal of their police orderlies

“Only one concern, Mr President. As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly members said I should let you know that they may not be able to go home because they may be picked up.”

“On that note, we plead with Mr President for a review of the decision. May God bless you, may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and may God bless our National Assembly,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio had earlier noted that many in the country view the patriotic collaborative work between the National Assembly and the Executive Arm as a sell-out by the Parliament.

“But history is unambiguous in one enduring lesson: nations advance when the Executive and the Legislature work in concert, and they falter when the two become locked in hostility”.

He said: “The 2026 Appropriation Bill is therefore far more than a compilation of figures.

“It should be a statement of intent—a reflection of priorities, a record of difficult choices, and a roadmap for the next phase of Nigeria’s national renewal