Tension in n’assembly as HoS okays clerk to spend retirement leave working

There is unease in the ranks of the national assembly management over the retirement of Olatunde Ojo, the clerk.

Olatunde assumed office in July 2020 after the commission queried Mohammed Sani-Omolori, the former clerk, for refusing to proceed with retirement after 35 years in service.

Sani-Omolori argued that the eighth assembly approved an extension of his tenure.

However, Ojo was confirmed as the substantive clerk of the assembly in October 2020.

He is meant to proceed on leave today, November 14, but that changed after an enquiry was sent by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives.

In a letter dated November 11 and seen by TheCable, the speaker sought the opinion of Folashade Yemi-Esan, head of service (HoS), confirming if it was proper for Ojo to keep working when he is meant to proceed on his retirement leave.

“I am directed to refer the national assembly service commission to the correspondence from the head of civil service of the federation, HCSF/314/93 on the above subject,” the speaker’s letter partly reads.

“The speaker of the house of representatives has directed that the correspondence should be referred to the commission for guidance and clarification on pre-retirement leave of a retiring civil servant.”

In response, Yemi-Esan said it was not out of order if the retiring public officer chooses to keep working.

“Going by the provision, it is compulsory for the retiring officer to give a notice of three months prior to his/her retirement. Among other intents, this provision is to enable the MDA to arrange a replacement in good time, for the officer,” the HoS said in a letter signed by Adebayo Odejinmi, a director,” he said.

“As provided in the rule and where organised, the retiring officer will attend the one-month pre-retirement seminar. He/she is expected, in his/her own interest to gather his/her records from various MDAs he/she might have served.

“This is to facilitate the processing of his/her retirement benefits. It is therefore not out of order if the officer chooses to work in office during the period.”

‘PLOT TO CREATE CONFUSION’

On Sunday, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) said some people are working to create confusion in the hierarchy of the national assembly.

The coalition was reacting to reports that there is an alleged plot to appoint one Sanni Magaji Tambuwal, the current secretary of the finance and accounts department, as the new clerk of the national assembly.

“The idea being planted that a certain region should be excluded in the appointment is dangerous and against the federal character principle,” the CSOs said.