President Bola Tinubu has refused to assent to a bill aimed at extending the tenure of legislative officers at the National Assembly and 36 state Houses of Assembly from 35 to 40 years, and their retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The President’s decision was communicated in a letter read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This development comes after the bill was stepped down in February 2024 for further research and stakeholder engagement, following substantial opposition from senators.
The retirement age bill has been lingering since the 7th Assembly and was transmitted to the 9th Assembly, where it stalled, and subsequently to the 10th Senate.
In his letter, President Tinubu stated, “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,” he added.
Tinubu expressed appreciation for the Senate’s diligent work on the bill, hoping it would be received with understanding.