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The Digest:

Lawmakers have formally requested President Bola Tinubu to exempt them from the recent directive withdrawing police personnel from VIPs. The appeal was made after Senator Abdul Ningi (Kebbi Central) raised concerns that his sole police orderly had been removed, leaving him exposed.

Key Points:
  • The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, presided over the appeal, stating the leadership had met and resolved to seek an exemption.
  • Senator Ningi complained that his orderly was withdrawn while “sons and daughters of political office holders” and private individuals retain large security details.
  • Jibrin expressed confidence that President Tinubu, as a “listening leader,” would consider the Senate’s security concerns.
  • The directive, issued on November 23, orders the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to unauthorized VIPs nationwide.
  • Implementation by the Police Special Protection Unit has already begun, affecting various categories of personnel.
  • The Senate’s request highlights the tension between reformative security policies and the perceived personal security needs of public officials.
  • This appeal tests the consistency and inclusivity of the security withdrawal policy across different tiers of government.
The moment underscores a recurring national dilemma: the challenge of reforming entrenched security privileges in a landscape where threat perception and political status are often intertwined.

Sources: Premium Times, Channels TV