The embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday rejected the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly.
Saraki in a letter addressed to the Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Fika and signed by Sen. Isa Galaudu, Chief of Staff to the Senate President, asked that Sani-Omolori’s letter of appointment be withdrawn immediately as his promotion did not follow due process.
Rather, he said Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly ought to have been “ the first to be considered” for the position.
The Senate President in an April 22 memo titled: “Withdrawal of letter of appointment of Acting Clerk of the National Assembly” to the Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, wondered why the Commission ignored the directive that it should follow due process and ensure that seniority is considered in the appointment of a new clerk of the National Assembly.
Sani-Omolori was appointed on Tuesday to replace Salisu Maikasuwa who is scheduled to proceed on terminal leave on May 14.
Since the appointment of Omolori, tongues have been wagging over why seniority was not followed in the appointment.
Saraki’s memo said “Please recall that during your last meeting with the President of the Senate on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was discussed.
“The Commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly and who has previously acted as the Clerk of the National Assembly should be the first to be considered.
“Most importantly, you have been directed to confer with the President of the Senate the outcome of the Commission’s meeting before a letter of appointment is issued and regrettably that did not happen.
“The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. On further enquiries, we found he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission.
“Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the President of the Senate, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr. Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.”
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