President Bola Tinubu has rejected the harmonised version of the bill which sought to extend the service year of the National Assembly staff by an additional five years.

The bill sought to increase the retirement age to 65 years or 40 years of service from the current 60 years of age or 35 years of service for retirement.

While the bill had earlier passed a third reading in the House of Representatives, it was initially rejected by the Senate after sparking a controversy among lawmakers.

However, it was later reconsidered and passed by the Red Chamber and was then transmitted to the President for his assent.

Giving reasons for his refusal to assent to the bill, the President, in a letter written to the lawmakers and read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said his rejection was based on thorough examination and wide consultation.

Tinu 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 in accordance with 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 as regards the drafting and passage of this bill.

“However, I trust that this decision would be received with understanding and acceptance.”

The bill was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who argued that extension of the retirement age of parliamentary workers would help to protect institutional memory needed in the National Assembly.

He said he drew inspiration for the bill from what obtains in more developed countries, such as America and the United Kingdom.

But the bill faced stiff opposition from a number of senators, including Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ali Ndume and Mohammed Dandutse.

PUNCH