Presidential villa gate blocked as protest rocks Abuja https://phoenix-browser.com?d=5870210139958458137
EBEN ENASCO REPORTING.
Hundreds of retired police officers on Monday blocked a main gate of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, demanding that President Bola Tinubu sign a pending bill to remove police personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The protest, staged by the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, drew elderly retirees and some family members to the entrance of Aso Rock. Organisers said years of poor welfare and “unbearable hardship” after service forced them to take their grievances directly to the seat of power.
The National Assembly passed the bill on December 4, 2025, and transmitted it to the Presidency on March 16, 2026.
The delay in presidential assent has sparked anger among retirees, who say their monthly payouts under the current scheme are too small to meet basic needs.
Protesters gathered at the Villa entrance early Monday, singing and holding placards urging immediate approval of the bill. Their action disrupted movement through one of the gates and heightened tension in the area.
Security operatives, including police officers and Department of State Services personnel, were deployed to prevent the demonstrators from entering the premises.
Attempts to disperse them failed, as the retirees vowed to remain until addressed by the President.
“We will not leave until the President comes out to speak to us,” one protester said. Many lamented that the Contributory Pension Scheme, managed by the National Pension Commission, does not reflect the risks and nature of police service.
Despite appeals from security officials, the demonstrators maintained their position at the gate, insisting only presidential intervention could resolve the standoff.
As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement on the protest or indicated when the bill might be signed into law.