The National Assembly Legislative Forum, NASSLAF has warned against parallel union, stating that they have learnt that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to float an illegal union behind the scene.
In a statement which was issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman of NASSLAF, Chief Emeka Nwala said, floating an illegal union was against the principle and a violation of NASSLAF constitution, which clearly means two NASSLAF body cannot exist in the 10th National Assembly.
The statement read: “I write to notify you of the attempt by some members of NASSLAF Exco and CWC to form an illegal and illegitimate parallel NASSLAF government in National Assembly.
“This ugly and unwarranted development is in clear violation of the principles and provisions of NASSLAF constitution.
The development is capable of causing a breach of the peace being enjoyed by legislative aides and the National Assembly as a whole.
“Accordingly, the gentlemen of the press are respectfully requested to disregard all misleading details the group has been circulating to justify their dastardly act designed to derail the system and cause unnecessary dis-affection amongst legislative aides in the National Assembly.
“However, with reference to their purported CWC meeting held to allegedly suspend me, it remains an exercise without foundation because it was not validly activated.
“The requirement of one quarter of members of the Executive Committee to convene a meeting where I supposedly fail to do so did not represent the six geopolitical zones as demanded by the Constitution. (See Article 11 paragraph (ii of our Constitution as attached).
“Meanwhile, the call for a meeting pursuant to Article 11 paragraph (ii) did not empower the “Committee” to take any decisions whatsoever without my knowledge, let alone such patently illegal decision as suspension of an officer.
“More importantly, the Constitution does not have provision for “suspension of an officer.” What the Constitution copiously provided for is ‘Removal from office” and “Procedure for Removal’ see Article 21 and 22 of Nasslaf Constitution.
“While these constitutional provisions are not met, it is incongruous for any right thinking person to assume that I, Barr. Emeka Nwala, the only validly elected Chairman, National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, NASSLAF, has either been suspended or removed from office.
“I have laboured to offer purposeful leadership being acclaimed by majority of legislative aides, staff and legislators and perceive this clandestine move as calculated to distract the administration on very ridiculous and ludicrous reasons.
“As expected of a leader, I have opened up forum to let trite discussions hold to resolve any concerns from any quarters so as to sustain the peaceful environment being enjoyed by the legislative aides and others in National Assembly.
“As it is, NASSLAF remains one body under my chairmanship.”
