All Progressives Congress (APC) Alliance for Good Governance has tasked the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to follow due process in the appointment of a new clerk of the National Assembly (CNA).
The assistant national coordinator of the group Sani Liman made the call in a statement he issued in Abuja yesterday.
The outgoing CNA, Mr Amos Ojo, is due to embark on mandatory pre-retirement leave today at the expiration of his tenure.
The APC group condemned the current intrigues allegedly orchestrated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to install its stooges in the National Assembly.
Liman alleged that the PDP was using the tussle for the replacement of Oj, to precipitate a crisis that would torpedo the age-long tradition of seniority in the appointment of functional officers for the Assembly.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the APC Alliance for Good Governance is not interested in taking sides but will always insist on due process and that the most senior and qualified candidate be appointed without further delay.
“We are aware that a colossal amount of money running into billions of Naira has been earmarked to fight the battle with the commissioners of NASC being targeted for bribes of N50 million each.
“Meanwhile, the outgoing clerk, who is due to embark on mandatory pre-retirement leave on November 14, 2022 on the expiration of his tenure, is angling to remain until February 14, 2023 when he clocks 60 years of age as against the provision of the extant rules.
“For fairness, posterity and in the best interest of APC, the leadership of the National Assembly should insist that commissioners and the chairman, NASC do the right thing by following Civil Service due process of career path, progression and seniority.
“They should desist from manipulated political appointments of Clerks and Secretaries.
“For the sake of the commission’s institutional reputation and integrity of commissioners and the chairman, statutory processes should be allowed to take its natural course. And history will continue to remember the current commission’s administration for good,” he said.
