ABUJA – By Olusegun Lawrence A Federal Commissioner of the National Assembly Commission, Idi Ningi, has denied signing any protest letter against the appointment of Sani Omolori as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly.
In a statement on Monday, Ningi said he was part of the meeting during whih decision to appoint Omolori as Acting Clerk was taken and was therefore, surorised to read that he had protested against it.
He reiterated his loyalty to the chairman of the Commission, Adamu Fika.
Prompt News recalls that Senate President Bukola Saraki, had written to the Commission to withdrawal the appointment of Mr. Omolori, pointing out that Mr. Benedict Efeturi, the Deputy Clerk of the Senate should have automatically become the Acting Clerk as the Clerk is due to proceed on retirement.
Mr. Omolori is the Clerk of the House of Representatives and by ranking, junior to Mr. Efeturi.
It will be recalled that seven members of the National Assembly Service Commission had last week rejected the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the Clerk to the National Assembly, backing Benedict Efeturi instead.
Ningi’s statement titled ”I DID NOT SIGN ANY PROTEST LETTER”, reads:
“On Tuesday, 26th April, 2016, I was informed of a meeting of the Commission with His Excellency, the President of the Senate in his house at 7pm of that day.
”Myself and one of my colleague – Alhaji Rufai Tuta arrived after 7pm, having missed our way trying to locate the Senate President’s house. On arrival, we met four of our colleagues already seated – Elder Yepwi, Funmilayo Lamuye, Paul Oweh and Joseph Oru. About five minutes later, His Excellency, the Senate President walked in and after exchanging pleasantries, he spoke about the way the issue of the appointment of the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly was handled by the Commission and essentially expressed displeasure about it. My colleagues, who all spoke before me recalled their contributions at the meeting of the Commission where the decision on the appointment was taken. I spoke last and only offered apologies to His Excellency as it was apparent that he was not happy with the Commission; assuring him that we cannot annoy him intentionally. Mid-way into the meeting, the Deputy Senate President walked in and joined us.
”While I was speaking, one of my colleague (amongst the four we met at the residence) walked towards my seat with a sheet of paper which he gave to my colleague sitting close to me – Alhaji Rufai Tuta to sign and thereafter gave it to me. I noticed the paper was merely to write our name, the zone we represent and signature to indicate our attendance at the meeting and I signed accordingly.
“I am therefore shocked and surprised to learn that I signed a document. No document was presented at the meeting and I did not sign any document but an attendance sheet.
“I could not have signed any document dissociating myself from the decision of the Commission as I had earlier (on the 19th April, 2016) in a hand written note – attached – expressed my support for the appointment of Alhaji Sani Omolori as the Clerk to the National Assembly in Acting capacity.
Let me seize this opportunity to express my deep and sincere respect and loyalty to His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the Deputy President of the Senate – Mr. Ike Ekweremadu and to pledge my unflinching loyalty to and confidence on the Executive Chairman of the Commission – Dr. Adamu Mohammed Fika.”
