President Bola Tinubu has refused to approve a bill that sought to extend both the tenure and retirement age of legislative officers at the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The proposed law aimed to increase their years of service from 35 to 40 years and raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
This development was announced in a letter from the president, which was read today on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The bill, which has been a source of contention, was previously suspended in February 2024 for further deliberations and consultations with stakeholders.
Many senators had opposed it at the time. The proposed legislation, initially introduced during the 7th Assembly, faced delays in both the 9th and 10th Assemblies.
In his letter, President Tinubu explained his decision: “Upon thorough examination and careful consideration, I have decided to withhold my assent to the bill.”
He further clarified that his decision was based on his constitutional powers, stating, “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.”
Senate President Akpabio, who presided over the resumption of legislative sessions after an eight-week recess, conveyed the president’s message to the lawmakers.
