The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has approved the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise into the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).
The decision followed the exclusive report by LEADERSHIP, which revealed that lawmakers were miffed by NASC’s recruitment of 785 staff without their inputs or getting slots for their constituents.
According to the report, members
were said to have been stunned when they heard the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamoru Ogunlana, speak during the induction ceremony for 785 newly recruited staff last Monday in Abuja.
Ogunlana was represented by the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA), Engineer Bashir Yero, at the event. At the said event, 785 new employees across Grade Levels 8 to 12 were inducted.
The aggrieved members of the House took their anger about the recruitment of the new staff to the House’s WhatsApp platform, asking why and how the recruitments were made without their inputs.
Some of them said the Speaker had taken them for a ride because of their loyalty, and had concluded to confront him when the House resumes on September 23.
The lawmakers were also troubled that their inability to attract meaningful projects to their constituencies could prevent their re-election in 2027 elections.
One of them wrote, “Wonders can never end in NASS. How can the (National Assembly) Commission employ over 800 new staff without members’ knowledge for them to even nominate from their constituencies?”
Another replied sarcastically, “Who told you leadership is not aware? Their candidates are among those recruited, pls.”
“We have lost our rights to loyalty; a lot of things are going on in NASS without considering members’ interests. Once leadership’s interest is taken care of, they’re fine,” another angry lawmaker wrote.
“The commission employed 851 people and their induction was done today, 24 August, kai… this is unfair to members.”
“May God help us. We couldn’t even get 1 slot for our constituency,” another Rep wrote.
These and other issues such as budget performance and its implementation by the executive, and the killings in the northern part of the country, have pitched the lawmakers against the speaker, hence they were prepared for a showdown with him.
Apparently confirming this development in a statement on Sunday, the House Spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, said Speaker Abbas has directed the House Committee on Public Service Matters, which oversees NASC to conduct a thorough investigation of the recruitment of 785 workers and report back to the House.
Consequently, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Prof. Jake Dan-Azum, announced the constitution of the committee with Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase (APC, Plateau) as chairman with 13 members on Tuesday.
The committee is expected to be inaugurated when the House resumes from its annual recess later this month and would report back to the House within four weeks.
“The Committee is mandated to: Investigate the processes and procedures adopted in the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise conducted by the NASC.
“Ascertain the level of compliance with extant rules, federal character principles, and established guidelines.
“Identify any irregularities, discriminatory practices, or abuses of office in the recruitment exercise.
“Recommend corrective measures to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fairness in future recruitment processes,” Dan-Azum said.
Also, speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the House Deputy Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agese, said the Speaker has constituted two special committees to look at the issues reported.
Agbese said one of the committees is to be headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu, and the other is to be headed by former Deputy Speaker Wase.
The lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, denied any planned showdown or existing rifts amongst members and the leadership of the House, saying, to the contrary, the 10th House has so much confidence on Abbas.
He said: “the confidence of members in Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen is not negotiable and unwavering. Since his emergence, Mr Speaker has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, fairness, and deep respect for colleagues across party lines.
“He (Abbas) has continued to carry members along in decision-making in line with the ‘People’s House’ mantra and has shown unmatched commitment to the welfare of members and development of their constituencies.”
Agbese described attempts to drag the speaker into matters outside his statutory purview as “unfortunate”, adding that, “the Abbas has remained focused on strengthening the capacity of members to deliver on their mandate to Nigerians. Welfare, constituency support, and effective legislative engagement remain the hallmark of his leadership”.
The Deputy Spokesperson, however, said that as a leader with a listening ear, the Speaker has constituted two special committees to look at the issues being speculated.
Agbese said one of the committees is to be headed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu and the other is to be headed by the former Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Idris Wase.
“Abbas Tajudeen has done more than enough to stabilise the House. During our first year in office he had to shed all the weight acquired from previous leadership to accommodate everyone. This means that he had to give up his statutory benefits for first termer in terms of projects and resources allocation.
“He didn’t stop there, he decentralised some of the Committees to ensure not just wider oversight but to ensure many Members occupy leadership positions.
“The Speaker is completely accessible and works round the clock on 24hrs basis. If he is not in the office he is at his personal residence attending to members’ concerns individually and collectively.
“I remember a particular Christmas when I had to lead about 13 members to him because they were stranded and didn’t have rice to give to their constituents. These are my colleagues and they would attest to the immediate result that we got. Suffice to add that he has done quite enough in being the primus inter pares at the same time being a loyal party man who wants Mr. President to succeed in all things.”
Recall that LEADERSHIP had on August 30 reported that tension was brewing in the House of Representatives ahead of resumption on September 23, 2025, as several lawmakers have voiced discontent with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the House leadership.
