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Appointment of CNA: PDP governor allegedly plotting to install stooge, earmarks N50 million bribe for each NASC Commissioners
As the tenure of Architect Amos Olatunde Ojo as Clerk to the National Assembly ends, a group operating under the aegis of APC Alliance for Good Governance has alleged that the outgoing Clerk and a Peoples Democratic Party governor in Northwest were scheming for a stooge to take over.
The group in a statement which was issued by its Assistant National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Abubakar Liman on Sunday and sent to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, said, a sum of N50 million has been earmarked as bribe for each of the NASC Commissioners to buy them into the choice of their candidate.
The statement read: “The APC Alliance for Good Governance condemns in no uncertain terms the current intrigue being orchestrated by the PDP to install its stooges in the National Assembly for deep-seated corruption and looting and had therefore expressed urgent national concern for rectitude.
“The opposition party is using the tussle for the replacement of the outgoing Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Architect Olatunde Amos Ojo, to precipitate a crisis that will torpedo age-long tradition of seniority in the appointment of functional officers for the Assembly.
“We are aware that a colossal amount of money running into billions of Naira has been earmarked to fight the battle with the Commissioners of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) being targeted for bribe of N50 million each.
“Meanwhile, the outgoing Clerk, who is due to embark on mandatory pre-retirement leave on the 14th November 2022 on expiration of his tenure, is angling to remain until February 14, 2023 when he clocks 60 years of age as against the provision of extant rules.
“Reports reaching the APC Alliance for Good Governance has it that the outgoing CNA has as plan A his continued stay in office illegally, while pushing for Sani Tambuwal (Secretary of Finance and Account) as plan B to succeed him and ultimately position him for the ultimate PDP takeover of the Assembly.
“The said Tambuwal is allegedly being sponsored by a current PDP Governor from Northwest, who happened to be a Senatorial candidate targeting the office of Senate President, if he secures victory in 2023 election.
“This explains his desperation to buy all the commissioners at any cost to accomplish PDP underground plot to takeover National Assembly come 2023.
We understand that three senior officers, Bashir Yero, the most senior, Sani Tambuwal, and Akabueze Chinedu, are the candidates screened by the NASC.
“In addition to the PDP plot, one Atiku Ibrahim Tambuwal, a cousin to the Northwest Governor and a director in the National Assembly, is being programmed to take over as Secretary of Finance and Administration once Sani Tambuwal is erroneously moved to take over as CNA.
“This would mean that the Northwest Governor who is scheming to become the Senate President will be completely in charge of the National Assembly funds with his relatives in place.
“Meanwhile, the APC-led National Assembly and its leadership are not sensitive enough to foil this backdoor power takeover plot by PDP using Ojo and Tambuwal to hatch the coup d’ etat.
“It will be recalled that PDP appointed CNA – Maikasuwa and was used to install PDP-backed Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President in the 8th Assembly, as against Senator Ahmad Lawal – APC’s choice.
“Former Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara emerges from same PDP alliance against Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the choice of the APC leadership.
“One wonders why the current leadership of both chambers of National Assembly forget so soon what befell them in 2015, the humiliation of inability of ruling party to produce choice leadership.
“For fairness, posterity and in the best interest of APC, the leadership of National Assembly should insist that Commissioners and the Chairman of NASC do the right thing by following Civil Service due process of Career Path, progression, and seniority, instead of manipulated political appointments of Clerks and Secretaries as was done without thorough due diligence but rather for the sake of Sani Omolori (former CNA) must go solidarity two years ago.
“As they say in local adage ”what you sow, you shall reap”, Ojo who was the lead-advocate and beneficiary of Omolori must go then, does not want to retire as age cut-up with him, what an irony.
“To further affirm why the commission must ensure fairness and transparency, the recently concluded screening of management and senior staff of National Assembly by the Commission in October 2022 reveals that many of the Secretaries and Clerks, had in the time past skipped promotion processes to become director in their various departments and directorates, which is contrary to the civil service provision.
“Amazingly, some of the top contenders for the office of CNA are products of this questionable promotions skipping.
Conclusively, for the sake of Commission’s institutional reputation and integrity of Commissioners and the Chairman, statutory processes should be allowed to take its natural course, and history will continue to remember the current commission’s administration for good.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC Alliance for Good Governance is not interested in taking sides but will always insist on due process and that the most senior and qualified candidate be appointed without further delay.
As the records show, the NASC has the records and the facts and should act accordingly and without further delay.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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