Breaking: Security operatives doubles in NASS complex as tension mounts over retirement of Omolori

The National Assembly complex on Thursday witnessed a sizeable number of Police and plain security operatives over a development that the Clerk to the National Assemby, Barrister Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori would be retired today.

From the first and second National Assembly entrance have been occupied by the operatives in their numbers. This is even as personnel of Sergeant-At-Arm, an internal security arm of NASS moves to scrutinise those accessing the complex, while the Police and others stay behind with arms for any eventuality.

Tension heightened when the board Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi in a circular on Wednesday, 15th July, averred that staff of the National Assembly who are 60 years of age or those who have spent 35 years would be retired.

Amshi extrapolated more in a press statement that the approval by the board which CAPITAL POST discovered would affect the NASS Clerk was in line with the public Service rules.

In a swift reaction, Omolori urged Nigerians to disregard the circular, insisting that “there was an upward review through a resolution by the 8th Assembly.

“The retirement age for workers of the National has been reviewed to 65 years of age and 35 years of service’, Omolori insisted in a statement made available to CAPITAL POST.

But the situation took a dramatic turn, as a group known as ‘Omolori Solidarity vowed to resist the removal of Clerk.

According to the convener of the group, Sani Yaro, he said, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were plotting the removal of Omolori in order to plant their lackey.

The revealed in a statement that they have mobilised over 1,000 protesters who will occupy the complex on Thursday, adding that they might resort to lawsuit if Omolori was removed.

Meanwhile, staff of the National Assembly are divided over the development with some insisting that the Clerk should retire, while others said, the reviewed conditions of service which the Clerk was insisting should be respected.

An official of the Sergeant-At-Arm who spoke under anonymity remarked: “The Clerk to the National Assembly should just go.

“He is guided by the public service rules and he should just retire. Does he want to stay there forever?”