President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disagreed with the Senate over and declined assent to a Bill for extending the tenure and retirement age of legislative officers at both the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The Senate passed the Bill and passed it on to the Nigerian President for assent.
Tinubu’s refusal came in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
The President wrote: “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. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the diligent work of the Senate with regard to the drafting and passage of this Bill. I hope you will receive it with understanding. Please accept the assurances of my highest regard.”
The Bill proposed increasing the tenure of service for legislators from 35 to 40 years and their retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The harmonised Bill, which has faced strong opposition, was first introduced during the Seventh Assembly and reintroduced in subsequent sessions.
