By Our Reporter
The coalition for transparency equity and justice, a CSO group: agitating for human rights, transparency, equity and justice, has demanded that the leadership of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission must be fair and transparent in the appointment of the next clerk, who will succeed, Sani Omolori, the substantive as its tenure winds down.
In a statement by the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, Dr. Chima Chibuike; he commended the dynamic leadership of the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan for unparalleled forthrightness and integrity, especially its nationalistic ideals which stands him out.
In the foregoing, in accordance with Civil Service Rules and the conditions for Service, the incumbent clerk: Alhaji Sani Omolori, a highly productive public servant, would have meritoriously retired in February.
However, on the account of a resolution of the 8th National Assembly which extended the retirement age to 65 years old or 40 years in service whichever comes first. Emphatically, which has been disputed by the National Assembly Service Commission on the grounds of not binding in law and should not have been gazetted by the Management on May 28, 2019 in the first place. And, as such the Commission would stick to the conditions of service in public service with the applicable retirement age of 60 years and 35 years in public service.
Going by this, the leadership of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission must rise above pettiness and primordial sentiments in the appointment of a succeeding clerk. The candidates amongst the senior management staff should be thoroughly screened to avoid incompetence and back lash.
According to stakeholders, the Permanent Secretary Legal Matters, Bala Mohammed Yabani and the current Permanent Secretary Estate and Works Procurement, Olatunde Ojo are the most qualified candidates for the position.
Going by the foregoing, stakeholders are yearning for Architect Olatunde Ojo on account of his wealth of experience
According to them, he has what it takes to consolidate the achievements of the out-going cCerk
The Nation looks up to the National Assembly to set the pace for National unity, peace and cohesion in our march to true democracy, assuming rightful position amongst the comity of Nations.
