Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has assured protesting retired police officers that their long-standing demand to be removed from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) will soon be fulfilled.

Akpabio gave the assurance on Thursday when he received the leadership of the protesting retirees, who have been keeping vigil at the entrance of the National Assembly for days to press home their demand.

In a statement issued by Jackson Udom, his Special Assistant on Media, the Senate President told the retirees that the National Assembly would act swiftly on the matter and align with the House of Representatives, which had already passed a bill removing police personnel from the scheme.

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According to the statement, Akpabio said, “The policy, from what you have told us, was not well thought out. But take it that you have to disperse from the gate, that problem as far as the law is concerned is over.”

He further assured them that the Senate would take decisive action next week.

“On Tuesday next week, we will concur with what the House of Representatives have done and produce an Act exiting you from the Scheme.

“I know that President Bola Tinubu, being a listening President, would sign it into law. The Scheme is certainly not good for the security personnel.”

Akpabio questioned why the police were still within the CPS when other security agencies had been exempted.

“If the military, DSS, NIA and others had exited, I see no reason why the Police should remain while those in the echelon of the service are out of it.

“You all fought insecurity together. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. We will ensure that the Scheme is same from the IG to the last constable.”

He criticised the manner in which the policy was adopted, suggesting it lacked foresight.

“Sometimes our country is fantastic in copying policies and not thinking out the implications if implemented, and if that was done, many of you wouldn’t have died. We always compare oranges with apples.”

Earlier, the leader of the retirees, Mannir Lawal Zaria, expressed gratitude to the Senate President for granting them audience, saying the assurance offered hope to thousands of affected officers.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, in his vote of thanks, commended Akpabio for his prompt intervention and empathy towards the plight of the retirees.