Disorderly rites of orderlies’ recall

Nigeria is blighted by the ‘big man’ syndrome that modulates everyday conduct of our national affairs. Hence, the 23rd November order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that police orderlies be recalled from Very Important Persons (VIPs) and reassigned to core policing functions have met with all manners of pushbacks against which the President seems to be holding his ground. The question is: will he hold firm against the pushbacks?

Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently mouthpieced the objection by members of the National Assembly (NASS) to the presidential directive. At a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives for presentation of the 2026 national budget by President Tinubu on Friday, 19th November, he said lawmakers were worried that the withdrawal of their police orderlies put them at risk, such that many were hesitant to visit their respective constituency community for the Yuletide out of fear for personal safety. According to him, such concerns compelled the leadership of NASS to formally appeal to the President for a review of the directive, given the need to ensure adequate protection of elected representatives and other vulnerable targets.

The President had, in November, ordered the withdrawal of police personnel providing security for VIPs across Nigeria and their redeployment to core policing duties to address security challenges besetting the country. He said VIPs requiring security cover should source armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), rather than rely on police personnel. But he also stressed that the recall of police officers on special protection duties should be done in a way that would not leave people exposed.

In his response after the President had presented the budget address, Senate President Akpabio said: “Only one concern, Mr. President. As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly members said I should let you know that they may not be able to go home today because they may be picked up (by bandits). So on that note, we plead with Mr. President for a review of the decision. May God bless you, may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and may God bless our National Assembly.”

Just a few days earlier, indications had emerged of a brewing political standoff between the executive and legislative arms as senators alleged being targeted with selective implementation of the presidential order recalling police orderlies while numerous political and business personalities yet retained police protection. This, the lawmakers argued, undermined the objective of recalling police personnel for redeployment to address the country’s insecurity challenge.

The complaint by senators came to a head following a motion raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) through a point of order by which he informed the chamber that his only police orderly was withdrawn in the early hours of the previous day. Ningi demanded that enforcement be carried out across board in the spirit of fairness and equity, saying: “Let’s see what happens from the office of the President, to the Vice-President, to the Senate President, to the Speaker of the House, to ministers.” He argued that enforcement of the presidential directive was clearly uneven: “I saw two convoys of ministers and they were carrying lots of security personnel. Mr. (Senate) President, I have also seen business concerns, Chinese and other businessmen with their complements of orderlies. I have also seen daughters and sons of political officeholders having orderlies and having security cover.”

The Bauchi senator underscored the indignity lawmakers feel by being targeted first: “I saw singers having orderlies and complementary protection. I cannot ever imagine that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has been here for a very long time, will have his only one orderly withdrawn.” He made clear he could protect himself, only there should be equitable application of the presidential order: “I can take care of myself, but let this be done across board. Let me not see governors, ministers and business tycoons being escorted by security personnel… The National Assembly should not be used as scapegoat.”

“Police orderlies: By the time all solicited exemptions get factored in, the presidential order might end up neutered.”

In his submission, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided at the session informed senators that the leadership was actively lobbying the Presidency for an exemption of members. “I want to assure you that the issue raised to protect you is being taken seriously, and that at the leadership level we have agreed that the course of action should be reviewed to restore your police orderly to you, because this is in line with international practice,” he said. Barau expressed hope for a positive outcome: “I’m sure we have a listening President. He will listen to us and, by God’s grace, he will save us from that order, which obviously was given in good faith.”

The senators’ complaints coincided with the President doubling down on his directive during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa. He insisted on total compliance with the order recalling police special protection operatives from VIPs, stressing the critical need to redeploy such personnel to areas grappling with kidnapping and terrorism. The President restated his directive that anyone who must have special police protection must obtain his explicit clearance through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). “I told the IGP, and I hope the Minister of Police Affairs is here. If you have any problem of security because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance.”

The President as well directed agencies concerned to coordinate deployment of replacement personnel swiftly. He said: “The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed.” For avoidance of doubt over implementation of the recall order, he said: “It should be effected. We face challenges of kidnapping and terrorism; we need all the forces we can utilise.” He restated that concession would be made for those who are genuinely exposed: “I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them. The Civil Defence are equally armed, and I want NSA (National Security Adviser) to ensure our forest guards are armed too. So, take it very seriously.”

Even principals of the judicial arm of government raised issues with the presidential order. Taraba State Chief Judge Joel Agya complained that withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges exposed them to security risks, and appealed that judicial officers be exempted considering the nature of their job. Speaking when State Police Commissioner Betty Otimenyin, paid him a courtesy visit in Jalingo, he said: “Even though the President directed the withdrawal of police guards from VIPs nationwide, the Force Headquarters had earlier exempted judges because the law entitles them to police protection.” Yet, according to him, orderlies attached to judges in Taraba State were withdrawn on 8th December without prior notice.

Describing the development as a significant threat to the administration of criminal justice, the chief judge said judges handling sensitive political, criminal, terrorism and corruption cases faced heightened personal risk, with the withdrawal of orderlies likely to compromise judicial independence and embolden intimidation within and outside the courtroom.

Following the chief judge’s claim, though, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has denied that police orderlies of judicial officers were withdrawn.

By the time all solicited exemptions get factored in, the presidential order might end up neutered. Over more than two decades, successive IGPs have tried to scale back special protection services to VIPs but have all fallen flat on implementation; apparently so because not only the VIPs want to keep their orderlies, but police operatives themselves favour – indeed, actively lobby – for the offbeat posting that is far more rewarding in perks while being less hazardous than core policing functions. Even for the police institution, special protection services constitute a cash cow. Meanwhile, a report in November by a European Union agency indicated that more than 100,000 officers were deployed on VIP protection out of a total police workforce of about 371,000 that should serve a population of some 230million Nigerians. Incumbent IGP Kayode Egbetokun rejoined that only 11,566 personnel were attached to VIPs, however.

All the ‘big men’ want special protection. But what about other Nigerians, unless something decisive is done to secure the space for the safety of everyone including the VIPs? That is where efforts should be focused, not on exemptions that allow special protection for only a few. Happy New Year to all my readers in advance!