The Senate erupted in anger yesterday over what lawmakers described as the selective enforcement of President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police orderlies from Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.
Several senators expressed outrage that while their own police orderlies had been removed, many influential individuals — including politicians’ children, business executives, entertainers, and foreign business interests — continued to move around with heavy police protection.
Their complaints surfaced as President Tinubu, at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, reaffirmed his earlier order and instructed full, non-negotiable compliance nationwide.
The President also directed the Minister of Interior, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to immediately deploy replacements where necessary, warning that no one must be left vulnerable during the transition.
Senators protest ‘selective enforcement’
The uproar in the Senate began after Senator Abdul Ningi raised a point of order, revealing that his single police orderly was withdrawn at dawn while “sons and daughters of political office-holders, ministers, governors, and even business tycoons” still retained multiple officers.
He accused the police of implementing the directive unfairly and insisted that the clampdown must affect all categories of VIPs — from the Presidency to ministers, state governors, and business elites.
Ningi said he had personally witnessed convoys of ministers still escorted by multiple security personnel.
“I can take care of myself,” he said, “but it must be done across the board. The National Assembly must not be used as a scapegoat.”
Senate leadership moves to seek exemption
Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin revealed that the Senate leadership had already opened discussions with the Presidency to exempt lawmakers from the withdrawal exercise.
He assured senators that their concerns were being taken seriously and hinted that their police orderlies might be restored.
“We have a listening President,” Jibrin said. “I believe he will consider our request because it aligns with international practice.”
Tinubu insists on strict enforcement
At the FEC meeting, President Tinubu doubled down on the directive, stating that in a period of heightened kidnapping and terrorism, police personnel must be redirected to core security duties.
He emphasized that no VIP should receive police protection without direct clearance from the IGP — who, in turn, must receive approval from the President.
Tinubu also ordered the Interior Ministry, IGP, NSCDC, and security advisory bodies to coordinate immediate backfill deployments so that legitimate security gaps are not created.
“We face serious challenges of kidnapping and terrorism,” the President said. “We need every officer available to protect the public. The directive must be fully enforced.”
Fresh push for livestock reform
The President further directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to work with the National Economic Council (NEC) and state governments to identify grazing reserves that can be rehabilitated into modern ranches and livestock settlements.
Tinubu said converting the long-abandoned reserves into economic hubs would help end farmer-herder conflicts and unlock new opportunities in livestock value chains.
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