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NASS splits as Reps insist on tenure extension for Omolori, others

By Azimazi Momoh Jimoh and Adamu Abuh, Abuja
07 June 2020   |   4:14 am
The House of Representatives has insisted on retaining its resolution that extended the tenure of the National Assembly Clerk, Alhaji Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori and 150 top officials.

The House of Representatives has insisted on retaining its resolution that extended the tenure of the National Assembly Clerk, Alhaji Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori and 150 top officials.

This decision, it was learnt, may have destroyed the cordial relationship between the two chambers, as the Senate leadership is reportedly seeking the reversal of the resolution to enable the National Assembly Service Commission terminate the tenure extension.

The House of Representatives rejected a memo by the National Assembly Service Commission seeking to cancel parts of the resolution, particularly the one relating to the extension of retirement age of Omolori and other officials.

Both chambers had in 2018 debated and approved the new conditions of service for National Assembly staff, which included extension of tenure.

As a result of the amendment of the National Assembly’s Condition of Service, the retirement years for public servants in the National Assembly was moved from 35 to 40 years, while retirement age was upgraded from 60 to 65 years.

But upon appointment of the National Assembly Service Commission chairman, Ahmed Amshi, early this year, the tenure extension started witnessing increased criticisms.

Amshi had set up a panel to investigate the issues around the tenure extension.

Following submission of the panel’s report, Amshi wrote to the two chambers, seeking reversal of the 2018 resolutions to allow for Omolori’s sack, as well as the 150 senior staff, whose tenure was extended.

But the House of Representatives, in a letter to Amshi, said the House leadership has resolved not to rescind the 8th Assembly’s resolution on the condition of service of the National Assembly Staff.

The letter, signed by Clerk to the House of Representatives, Patrick Giwa, and dated June 4, 2020, with reference number NASS /HR/LEG/14/3/30, stated that the House of Representatives leadership had chosen to maintain its earlier resolution on the matter and wouldn’t rescind it.

It was learnt that the matter has equally been generating ripples in the Senate.

A prominent member of the Senate leadership was said to have expressed disappointment at the manner some leaders in the Upper Chamber were insisting on the reversal of the conditions of service and sack of the Clerk to the National Assembly.

The crisis, which is gradually attracting sentiments relating to region, zone and state, has drawn attention of some Senators, who were said to have called on Senate leadership to exercise caution in dealing with the matter.

Although no official communication has emerged from Senate leadership on the matter, it was learnt that the Senate leadership was not comfortable with the House of Representatives’ decision to maintain the earlier resolution.

Just last week, it was reported that the National Assembly Permanent Secretary in charge of legal matters, Bala Mohammed Yabani (Yobe State) has been tipped as the next Clerk to the National Assembly.

The incumbent chairman, Amshi, is equally from Yobe, where the Senate President comes from.

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