Buhari Urged To Reverse NASS Commission ‘Controversial Appointments’

Buhari Urged To Reverse NASS Commission ‘Controversial Appointments

BY TARKAA DAVID and HOSEA YUSUF, Abuja

A group, National Coalition Against Injustice has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others to quickly wade into the crisis at the National Assembly Service Commission and reverse all the alleged illegal appointments influenced by politicians.

The group said the appointments of the Clerk and others was against the provisions of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2014 as amended, adding that if nothing was done within seven days, they would head to the court for redress.

The national president of the coalition, Alhaji Abdulmojeed Adepoyi said, “For over six months, our organisation has written several letters and addressed, press conferences, including an open letter to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the matter, but as it stands, nothing proactive has been done.

“Aside the political side to the issue, Tambuwal’s appointment is at variance, with the Act of the National Assembly, regulating the appointment and elevation of principal career officers/top management staff.

“Those who were against his elevation cited the fact that Tambuwal was not from the legislative cadre, which is constitutionally provided for whoever will be elevated to such position.

“We have also recommended measures that we felt could save this corruption ridden process from tarnishing the image of the National Assembly with varying references to history vis-a-vis relevant provisions of the Constitution, to stakeholders, to establish why the current process should be reviewed and addressed as appropriate.”

“At this critical point of our nationhood and our nascent democracy, the ongoing illegality and grand corruption in the National Assembly Service Commission, sends the wrong signal to the bewilderment of Nigerians and the international community that Nigerian lawmakers cannot uphold the Act passed by the National Assembly and the rule of law,” the group said.

It said since the appointments were made illegally, it urged President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to wade in urgently and save the legislature and its bureaucracy.