President Bola Tinubu has opted not to approve a legislative proposal that sought to extend the tenure of National Assembly and state legislative officers from 35 to 40 years, as well as raise their retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The announcement regarding the President’s decision was made during a Senate session on Tuesday, September 24, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This decision follows the bill’s postponement in February 2024 for additional research and input from stakeholders, amid significant opposition from various senators.
The proposal to adjust retirement age has been under discussion since the 7th Assembly, moving through the 9th Assembly where it faced delays, and now has reached the 10th Senate.
In his communication, President Tinubu remarked, “After a comprehensive review and thoughtful consideration, I have chosen to withhold my approval of the bill.”
“This choice is made under the authority granted to me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he emphasized.
Tinubu acknowledged the Senate’s hard work on the legislation and expressed hope that his decision would be understood.
