President Bola Tinubu has vetoed a bill that aimed to extend the retirement age and years of service for legislative officers at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
The proposed bill sought to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and increase the years of service from 35 to 40.
In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor, President Tinubu explained his decision, stating, “Upon thorough examination and careful consideration, I have decided to withhold my assent to the bill.
This decision is made by the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate with regard to the drafting and passage of this Bill. I hope you will receive it with understanding.”
This bill has been a topic of debate for several legislative sessions, initially introduced during the 7th Assembly and facing opposition in both the 9th and 10th Assemblies. In February 2024, the bill was put on hold for further research and consultation with stakeholders after many senators voted against it.
Notably, President Tinubu had previously signed a constitutional amendment bill establishing a uniform retirement age for judicial officers across Nigeria.
However, in this instance, he has chosen to exercise his veto power, citing the powers vested in him by the Constitution.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, presided over the session, marking the first legislative sitting after an eight-week recess. This decision may spark further discussion and debate on the proposed changes to retirement age and years of service for legislative officers.