‘I have no intention to undermine you’ — clerk replies query of n’assembly commission

Mohammed Sani-Omolori, former clerk of the national assembly, says he did not plan to dictate to the  National Assembly Service Commission.

The commission had asked Sani-Omolori to proceed on retirement but he refused, saying the eighth assembly had approved his tenure extension.

Subsequently, the commission issued a query by the commission.He was then queried.

The previous assembly saw the conditions of service of the national assembly staff being amended.

The federal legislators increased the requirement of retirement for the staff to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service.

In his response dated July 18, Sani-Omolori drew the attention of the commission to the rejection by the house of representatives to rescind its resolution of conditions of service of the national assembly staff in a letter numbered NASS/HR/LEG/14/3/30 dated June 2020.

The clerk said the leadership of the national assembly has met on the issue and no decision has been taken.

“As the clerk to the national assembly, it is my responsibility to ensure staff matters are clearly disseminated at all times and the efficient functioning of the legislative bureaucracy,” Sani-Omolori said in his response.

“The press release was indeed issued sequel to an emergency top management meeting I summoned yesterday as soon as my attention was drawn to your press release.

“It is also important to state that I was compelled to issue that statement via a press release as the circular from your office was brought to our attention via a press release instead of an administrative notice to my office as the head of legislative service.

“It is imperative to issue the clarification in the press release. Furthermore, Mr. Chairman, it might appear to you that my press release is an act of insubordination whereas, my press release is actually to obviate a situation where the commission will be seen as being insubordinate to the sovereignty of the parliament of the federal republic of Nigeria.

“In the circumstances, Mr. Chairman should kindly consider my press release as a patriotic duty to save the National Assembly that we both have committed to serve faithfully. In answering your query, it is important to highlight that while you may rely on Section 6b of the act to issue the query, however as it relates to the office of the clerk to the national assembly, section 10 is quite instructive.

“It is hoped that my explanation above puts the record straight and I look forward to the deserved harmonious working relationship with the esteemed commission in the months ahead.”

The commission named Ojo Amos Olatunde as acting clerk of the assembly on Friday.