News
Tenure controversy: NASS staff demand immediate removal of Sani-Omolori, others to save institution
Some staff of the National Assembly on Tuesday called for the immediate removal of Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as the Clerk of the National Assembly and about 150 others over allegation of illegal tenure elongation of additional five years to their year of service. I
The staff, under the umbrella of “Concerned Staff of National Assembly” in a letter of appeal made available to journalists in Abuja described continuous stay of Sani-Omolori and some senior directors in office as “a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution of the FRN, as amended, the Public Service Act, National Assembly Service Commission Act and the Pension Commission Act,”
They particularly called on the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi and his entire board to save the nation’s legislature from destruction.
They demanded from the board an immediate issueance of a circular stopping the affected staff from parading themselves as staff, in line with extant civil service regulations.
“We appeal to all our colleagues due for retirement to honourably quit with immediate effect in order to preserve the legislative integrity of the National Assembly.
“The above appeal is predicated on the flagrant breaches and gross violation of all known laws governing permanent staff in the service of the National Assembly of the Federation as evidenced from the submissions made by eminent citizens and former CNA cum immediate past chairman NASC, Dr Adamu Fika and the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr (Mrs) Folasade Esan.
“We appeal to the chairman and his commissioners to do the needful by way of issuing a circular to all staff overdue for retirement to quit with immediate effect and stop further waste of government’s resources in line with Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution,”
The staff appealed to the board to ensure that legislative staff who have prerequisite trainings and experience are henceforth allowed to occupy the offices of the National Assembly Clerk, that of the Senate and House of Representatives.
“If the fundamental duty of lawmakers is to make law as admitted by the advocate of non-legislative officers, then trained and experienced legislative directors should be made clerk of either the Senate, House or NASS.
“If not, why is public funds expended on legislative officers’ training on legislative practices and procedures? Then what becomes of their accumulated knowledge and experience?
“It will be a disservice not only to the legislative institution but our great nation for non-legislative officers to be appointed as either clerk of senate, House of Representatives or Clerk to National Assembly,”
It will be recalled that the 8th Assembly at its twilight upheld a resolution which sought to extend the retirement age of National Assembly staff from 60 to 65 years.
However, in the ensuing crisis occasioned by the development, the Head of Service Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, on July 7, declared that the elongation as not in conformity with civil service rules.
She said that “In specific terms, Section 318 (1) of the constitution states that ‘public service of the federation means the service of any capacity in respect of the Government of the Federation and includes as (a) clerk or other staff of the National Assembly or of each House of the National Assembly.”
Yemi-Esan added that public service rules “prescribes attachment of 60 years of age or 35 years of service for an officer to retire, whichever comes earlier,”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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