By kawaekwune Jeffrey
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday formally announced his intention to decline to sign a bill that sought to raise the retirement age of civil servants working in the National Assembly.
In a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu explained that he decided to decline assent following a careful consideration of the bill.
He said: “I write in respect of the harmonised retirement age for legislative officers of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bill passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to me for assent.
“Upon thorough examination and careful consultation, 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.
“However, I trust that this decision would be received with understanding and acceptance.”
The New Diplomat reports that the bill proposed raising the retirement age for NASS workers from 60 to 65 years or 40 years of service, whichever comes first. Currently, the law makes it mandatory for all civil servants in NASS to retire at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service.
The bill was first introduced during the 7th Assembly and reintroduced in subsequent sessions.
In February 2024, the Senate initially rejected the bill following a lengthy debate. However, the Senate later agreed to a similar version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives.
