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NASS group denies CNA’s refusal to pay salary arrears allegation
The National Assembly Legislative Forum (NASSLAF) has denied claims by the Salary Arrears Affected Aides’ claims that the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Arch Amos Olatunde Ojo has reneged on his promises to pay outstanding arrears of salaries.
The group in a statement of disclaimer dissociated itself from the report which emanated from the affected Legislative Aides, saying the allegations were ill-conceived.
The statement which was signed NASSLAF Chairman and Secretary, Salisu Zuru and Bola Adeyemo and which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, said they were putting the records in proper perspective given the prominence which the report generated.
The statement reads: “As the duly-elected and mandated body to represent the Legislative Aides of the National Assembly, we hereby disassociate ourselves and of course the generality of our colleagues, the Legislative Aides, from an ill-conceived letter which stems from rumors addressed to you on the above subject.
“We could not have bothered to dignify them with a response especially as they are unknown to us, but for the singular incidence of the paper bearing an official acknowledgement stamp from your office, we are only but persuaded to reply to the letter.
“To begin with, the letter should be disregarded in its entirety as the identities of the authors cannot be established. If indeed they are legitimate and well-meaning Aides, they should have authenticated the paper with their names and office addresses or even photocopies of their valid identity cards.
“However and for record purposes Sir, we acknowledge that there are some Legislative Aides who are yet to receive their salary arrears, and also that even though the arrears got accumulated before your appointment, you have displayed genuine commitments to address the issue as well as taken commendable steps so far, in ensuring that other legitimate concerns of the Legislative Aides are attended to.
“Since our inauguration as representatives of our colleagues, we have been having consultative engagements with you on these and accordingly, we have been informing them.
“Therefore the unsigned document does not and can never in any manner represent the imaginations, opinions and mindsets of Legislative Aides who are appointed to complement their principals in discharge of their legislative mandates.
“Every Aide operating both in the National Assembly and the various constituencies is easily identifiable and can freely express themselves legitimately and courteously.
“So in all ramifications, it is our suspicion that this is rather yet another deliberate action taken, and being propagated by rumours just to severe the harmonious working relationship between NASSLAF and the Leadership as well as Management of the National Assembly.
“We need to maintain the relative peace, harmony and sanity which have tremendously-improved on the overall work environment.
“Once again Sir, we disassociate ourselves from this. We humbly and passionately plead that you do not allow this to distract you from delivering on your promises with even defined timelines.
“Otherwise, they should have been aware that you graciously ordered the immediate payment of our First 28-Days Allowance that were supposed to have been paid a year before your appointment.
“Again, you made firm promises that Legislative Aides’ salaries should be paid between 27th and 29th of every month and also that the salary arrears would be paid on or before 21st of this month, December 2020.
“While you have since delivered, to the pleasure and fulfilment of Aides, on the prompt payments of salaries, the date for payment of arrears is still ahead, though very close.”
The President of the Nigerian Senate Godswill Obot Akpabio said, he will not be distracted by the baseless allegation and antics of Elisha Abbo who formerly represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the Senate, stating that it was unfortunate that the ex-lawmaker has started another round of malicious campaign against him.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, declaring that Elisha Abbo’s outbursts are those of a failed politician who fraudulently represented Adamawa North Senatorial District before the Court intervention cleared him out of way.
Akpabio through his aide was reacting to Elisha Abbo’s blame on Akpabio, suggesting that he was responsible for his electoral woes in an interview he granted on Arise Television on Wednesday while he featured on politics today.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate has been drawn to another round of spurious and malicious accusations by Mr. Elisha Abbo, who unlawfully represented Adamawa North Senatorial District save a judicial intervention.
“He has again sought to blame the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, for the travail of his judicial sanction that occasioned his ouster from the Senate.”
Akpabio said he was perturbed the more over Elisha’s outburst on him over an issue he has regretted and apologized to him publicly in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was “premature and based on the available information at his disposal.
He noted further that Abbo had once discussed with him last year and acknowledge that “he was not involved in the judicial process that led to his ouster from the Senate.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, after a thorough legal process, ruled unequivocally that Mr. Abbo’s presence in the Red Chamber was in error. The court determined that he was not validly elected as the Senator for Adamawa North, and consequently, he was removed.
“The court acted in accordance with the extant laws and the Constitution within its sacred duty to uphold the rule of law. Senator Akpabio, a seasoned lawyer and democrat, holds the independence of the judiciary in the highest regard and would never interfere in its processes.”
Given that Abbo has exonerated him, Akpabio said he found it illogical and irresponsible for him to now turn around and heap blames on him.
“Mr. Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.”
Akpabio noted that he has no executive fiat to approve finances, except such has been duly vetted and forwarded to him by the appropriate administrative units in line with the public finance guidelines.
If any of Mr. Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta.
It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Mr. Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing. Even more telling is his record of public conduct. Nigerians will recall that in 2019, he was caught on video assaulting a female citizen in Abuja—an incident for which he was ordered by a competent court to pay N50 million in damages. This is a matter of public record and speaks volumes about his temperament and disposition.
His recent outbursts about unpaid travels and imagined plots further reinforce the conclusion that his actions are driven not by facts or principle, but by bitterness and desperation to remain politically relevant. These claims are not only baseless, but they reek of grievance and a refusal to accept personal responsibility for his removal and loss of public trust.
Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
We urge Mr. Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth.
Structured HQ Legal, (SHQ) has issued a public notice warning against any transactions involving the buying, selling, leasing, or letting of the Hampton Harbour landed property.
The landed property measuring at 19.5 hectares is located at Elegushi Royal Family Land, Ikate Ancient City, Eti Osa, Local Government Area, Lagos State with reference number 376/376/2777GC and belongs to the Baggeren International Company.
In an official press statement issued to the news men, the firm disclosed that the property is currently under legal scrutiny, cautioning that any individual or entity engaging in transactions related to Hampton Harbour does so at their own risk. They also emphasized that unauthorized dealings could lead to significant financial loss and expose parties involved to legal consequences.
SHQ further noted that any person(s) who proceeds with any dealings in relation to the Hampton Harbour property risks both financial loss and potential legal actions noting that such transactions may result in criminal and civil liabilities for trespass or fraud.
The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and ensure due diligence before engaging in any transactions concerning Hampton Harbour. Prospective buyers, investors, or stakeholders must seek formal confirmation and approval from Structured HQ Legal or Baggeren International Company Limited to avoid financial and legal risks.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday said, requirements for recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District were lacking in the petition.
In a statement to update circumstances surrounding a purported petition against Natasha, the INEC said, it has rejected the petition.
The Commission said, Natasha is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there are requirements to recall her or any other Senator, but it cannot consider the petitions that lack merits.
Earlier the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, acknowledged receipt of petition against the embattled lawmaker from her constituents after submitting it to the INEC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was the former Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Contents, but was suspended from the Senate over alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules.
Natasha disclosed that she has approached the Court to quash her suspension which she claimed was illegal.
According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents’ signed the petition, out of about 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.
The petition was titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.
In a brief statement on Thursday, the Commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
The female lawmaker also on Tuesday defied ban by Kogi State Government and visited her Senatorial District in what she said, was a Sallah visit to felicitate with those who gave her their mandate.
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