Decision of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to name Sani Magaji Tambuwal as successor of the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Amos Olatunde Ojo in acting capacity has generated controversial debate.
The said appointment drew attention of a public affairs analyst, Haruna Mohammed, who has described it as a blatant violation of relevant sections of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2014.
Magaji Tambuwal who until the latest develomeant, was Secretary of Finance in the National Assembly was appointed to act CNA following the directive by Engr. Kadi Amshi-led Commission that Ojo should proceed on 3 months pre-retirement leave from November 14, 2022.
But in a commentary made available to journalists in Abuja, relevant sections of the Act and how they specify the manner in which officers can succeed an outgoing CNA, Mr Mohammed pointed out how the choice of Mr Tambuwal should be seen as a travesty of legal procedure by the commission, saying that Tambuwal should be 6th in line behind 5 others who were curiously ignored in the process.
In the piece titled; Clerk to the National Assembly: A Breach of the NASC Act, 2014,’ Mr Mohammed said the “Organogram of the National Assembly bureaucracy and line of duties as captured in sections 6(1), 7(2) and 12(1) of the National Assembly Service Act, 2014 shows that Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal is not qualified for appointment as Clerk to the National Assembly”.
According to him, “the Organogram of the National Assembly as shown in the Act shows that Magaji Tambuwal is number 6 in line and would not have been above the Clerks of Senate, House of Representatives and their Deputies who are recognized by the Act before Secretaries”.
Another Secretary, Mr. Kamoru who is in charge of Legal department was also appointed as deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, an act viewed by Mohammed as total disregard to the provisions of the Act establishing, which place Clerks of the Senate, that of the House and their deputies as more qualified and higher in ranks and successor candidates to Secretaries.
He therefore accused the commission of lending credence to allegations of inducement by some powerful interests as alleged in an online media report about a fortnight ago, saying it should not be allowed to stand.
