NASS commission jettisons seniority rule, appoints Omolori acting Clerk

The‎ National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), on Wednesday, broke the seniority rule of the civil service, following the appointment of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sani Mohammed Omolori, as acting Clerk of the National Assembly by-passing Ben Efeturi, who is currently the Deputy Clerk.

The controversial appointment of Omolori, who is junior in rank to the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly is a break from the laid down procedure for the naming of a successor to the substantive Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, who will be proceeding on terminal leave on May13.

Omolori’s appointment was contained in a letter with reference number: NASC/SS/PF/15, dated April 20, signed by the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Fika.

The letter which was addressed to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sani Omolori through, the out-going CNA, Salisu Maikasuwa reads: “I am writing to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission at its 44th meeting, held on Wednesday 20th April, 2016, approved your appointment as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly.

“This appointment which takes effect from 13th May, 2016 to 15th August 2016 is in exercise of its powers as provided in Section 6b of the National Assembly Service Act 2014.

“The appointment is in recognition of your hard work, dedication to duty and very responsible conduct since joining the service. I have no doubt in my mind that you will justify the confidence reposed in you‎ by the Commission and the leadership of the National Assembly”.

This development has cast aspersions on the principle of vertical progression in the civil service handbook as the commission decided to appoint the second most-ranking officer to Maikasuwa rather than making his Deputy his successor.

As at press time, it couldn’t be ascertained who was the most senior Permanent Secretary between Mr. Efeturi and Mr. Omolori and what would now be the fate of the Deputy Clerk following the new appointment.

However, both Omolori and Efeturi couldn’t be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report.