Nathaniel Zaccheaus
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Olatunde Ojo, Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Bala Yabani, some Secretaries of Directorates and top directors are currently fighting the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) over its directive that all staff must compulsorily observe a three-month pre-retirement leave in line with Public Service Rules (PSR).
For the past three years, leadership succession in the bureaucracy of the National Assembly has been enmeshed in an unwarranted political tussle, albeit in clear disregard to the PSR.
It will be recalled that the immediate past Clerk to the Senate, Dauda Ibrahim El-Ladan and two Secretaries of Directorates in the National Assembly were literarily forced to go on retirement after irregularities were allegedly discovered in their records of service.
However, as the tenure of the present CNA Ojo and the DCNA, Yabani, enters its twilight, another struggle has commenced with the refusal of the DCNA, who was supposed to proceed on pre-retirement leave since August 18, 2022 to obey the commission’s directive on the matter.
Investigation also revealed that other top management staff like the Deputy Clerk to House of Representatives (Administration), Dr. Abel Ochiugbo and some directors sometimes this year exited the National Assembly Service in line with the PSR, but others have continued to sit tight to the chagrin of the NASC.
The CNA, Ojo, had also in flagrant breach of the PSR and the clear directive of the Commission handed over the affairs of the National Assembly to the DCNA, Yabani, on acting capacity and proceeded on an international engagement in Canada.
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The action of the CNA, Ojo, who is due to proceed on pre-retirement leave on November 14, 2022 is however being viewed as a ploy to prepare ground for himself to allegedly stay in office till February 14, 2022, which is his terminal date in Service.
Investigation further revealed that other top management staff who are due to proceed on pre-retirement leave soon include the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Mr. Abiodun Suraju Oladoyin (October 1, 2022), Secretary, Information and Research, Ramatu Ahmed (September), Secretary, Budget, Micheal Opara and Deputy to the Clerk Senate (Legislative), Isabella Umunakwe, among others.
In order to check breaches of the PSR, the Executive Chairman of NASC, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, had in a circular directed all staff of the National Assembly to henceforth observe a mandatory three months pre-retirement leave.
The NASC circular dated July 4, 2022 and titled: “Mandatory Three Months Pre-retirement/Terminal Leave” reads in part: “It has come to the attention of NASC that some officers due for retirment from service do not observe the mandatory three months pre-retirement leave as provided for in relevant rules and as directed in our earlier communication on the subject matter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, section 100238 of the Public Service Rules (2008) states: ‘Officers are required to give three months notice to retire from service before the effective date of retirement.
“At the commencement of three months, officers should proceed immediately on the mandatory one month pre-retirement workshop/seminar.
“For the remaining two months, retiring officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their records straight so as to facilitate the speedy processing of their retirement benefits.’”
However, the CNA, Ojo, had not only countered the Commission’s directive in a letter, he recently handed over duties to his deputy who had been due to proceed on pre-retirement leave since August 18, 2022 and proceeded for an international engagement in Canada.
In a memo dated August 17, 2022 with reference number NASS/CNA/46/Vol.1/21! Ojo informed the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and other top echelon of the NASS that he was proceeding to Canada on official assignment.
The memo reads, “I write to inform you that I am proceeding to attend the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from 20th August, 2022 in Halifax, Canada.
“In my absence, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Bala Yabani, will oversee the affairs of the office.”
Apparently miffed by this development, the Commission had in a letter to the CNA warned the National Assembly management of dire consequences should staff continue to disregard its policy on pre-retirement.
The Commission’s letter titled: “Re: Mandatory three months pre-retirement/terminal leave” with reference number NASC/CHO/CNA/111/32, dated August 26, 2022 and addressed to the CNA, reads: “Your letter referenced NASS/CNA/42/Vol.1/47 dated August 10, 2022 in response to the Commission’s Circular referenced NASC/CHO/IC/I/131 dated 4th July, 2022 on the above subject (matter) hereby refers please.
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“The National Assembly Service Commission has not received any Circular from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation indicating that the three months Pre-Retirement/Terminal Leave is no longer mandatory in the Federal Service.
“Furthermore, it has been established that Section 100238 of the Public Service Rules (2008) is still subsisting.
“Consequently, this is to reiterate the Commission’s position in line with its earlier Circular that Officers are required to proceed on mandatory three months Pre-Retirement Leave.
“The Commission has also noted your direct communication with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on a policy matter, despite being a staff of the National Assembly Service.
“This should have been done by or with express permission of the Commission. This breach must be avoided in future.
“The Management of the National Assembly is hereby directed to strictly comply with the contents of Circular referenced NASC/CHO//IC/I/131 of 4th July, 2022.”
In a similar vein, the Commission, in another circular has warned staff to desist from undue peddling of influence in matters concerning appointments and postings.
The circular with reference number NASC/CHO/IC/II/31, titled: “Re-Conduct Prejudicial to the Security and Interest of the National Assembly Service” reads:
“In spite of our Circular Ref. No. NASC/CHO//IC/1/130 dated 7th March, 2022 on the above subject matter, issued to all staff of the Service, the Commission observed that some members of staff have continued to seek the influence of prominent persons for consideration for appointments into various positions in the Service.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 030427 of the Public Service Rules (2008) and 03229 of the Conditions of Service in the National Assembly Service clearly state that ‘No officer shall seek the influence of prominent persons or any other persons for ensuring the due consideration of his/her claims in matters connected with discipline or with a view to obtaining consideration for appointment, transfer, promotion or postings’.
“It has become necessary to remind all staff of the National Assembly Service that the Commission would henceforth sanction any Officer who contravenes the provisions of the Public Service Rules (2008) and the Conditions of Service in the National Assembly Service.
“Accordingly, all members of staff are hereby strongly advised to note and comply with the contents of these Circulars in order to avoid disciplinary actions against them as per relevant Extant Rules and Regulations.”
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Efforts to get reaction from the management of the National Assembly proved abortive as some of those contacted declined to comment on the matter.
However, a National Commissioner, representing North West in the NASC, Biliaminu Shinkafi, when contacted insisted that the position of the NASC on pre-retirement remains constant.
He disclosed that the DCNA Yabani has already been served his pre-retirement notice.
Shinkafi said: “There is no back and forth between the commission and the management of National Assembly.
“The position of the Commission on pre-retirement leave is definite. As a matter of Public Service Rules, it is mandatory for officers to proceed on that leave and there is no any circular from the National Council on Establishment or the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation that is contrary to our position.
Even if they do, we don’t have to adopt it as an independent commission and there is nothing to that effect and the position of the Commission is that it is mandatory for Officers to proceed on pre-retirement leave and all officers that are about to proceed, we have served them with letters.”
On whether the DCNA, Bala Yabani, who was supposed to have proceeded on pre-retirement leave since August 18, 2022, has also been served, he said: “Certainly. I think there was a mixup and his letter got to him late. But it has now been served on him and I am sure he will proceed.”
