Desperate Saraki In Fresh Fight-To-Finish With Presidency Over New NASS Clerk; You'll Be Shocked At The Secret Behind

In a bid to cover-up for the perjury case that heralded his emergence as the Senate President of the 8th National Assembly, Bukola Saraki is in fresh desperate move to ensure his stooge emerged as the next clerk of the national assembly, Ripples Nigeria reports this morning.

As reported by our source, News punch understands that forces in the presidency are engaged in a battle of wits with Senate President, Bukola Saraki over the appointment of an Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).

The current CNA Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa is expected to proceed on terminal leave from May 14.

The CNA is statutorily appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), a parastatal responsible for recruiting and managing the workforce of the National Assembly.

The 12 Commissioners of the body are however appointed by the President from across the six geo-political zones of the nation.

The replacement of Maikasuwa has been enmeshed in intrigues and controversies with the NASC appointing Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, as Acting Clerk.

His appointment was however challenged by Saraki in a letter on April 22 to Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Fika.

The Senate President called for withdrawal of Sani-Omolori’s appointment because he was not consulted and the exercise was carried out without consideration for the principle of seniority in the Civil Service.

Saraki called for the appointment of the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA), Benedict Efeturi, instead of Sani-Omolori.

But Fika countered that Efeturi was not qualified for the post because it is against Civil Service rule to appoint someone who is six months away from terminal leave.

Investigations revealed that Saraki and forces in the presidency are desperate to have their stooges in the office because of the Senate perjury, which has been reopened by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Malami has given the Director of Public Prosecution and the Police two weeks to prefer charges against suspects, who allegedly forged the Senate Standing Orders used for the proclamation of the current 8th Senate.

It is believed that the Senate Standing Orders were forged to facilitate the election of Saraki and Senator Ike Ekeremadu on June 9, 2015.

The former CNA, it was alleged, connived with former Senate President David Mark to alter the Standing Orders few days before the election.

Forces in the presidency believe that by determining the new CNA, it will be easy to prove the complicity of Mark, Ekeremadu and others in the case.

A source told Ripples Nigeria: “You know the CNA is the live wire of the National Assembly. They could get away with the alteration because the man there cooperated.

“If someone else gets there, he will help to facilitate quick trial and even reveal more facts that will nail the culprits.

“But if they have their way again, we should expect the case to die a natural death. This is why it is essential to stop them from having their man in the office again.”

The Saraki’s camp is also desperate to get Efeturi into office to get favourable directions during the case.

Should the case of criminal conspiracy, forgery, breach of official trust and unlawful assembly said to have contravened various provisions of the Penal Code be proven, it will consume the leadership of the Senate.

This is considered another potential banana peel for the embattled Saraki to tackle aside from his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged false declaration of assets.

It was learnt that both camps are prepared to go for broke over the appointment, fuelling fears that the vacancy might not be filled after May 14.

While Fika is believed to be dancing to the tune of presidential forces, Saraki is said to be leaving nothing to chances in the battle to install the next CNA.

Fika Dares Saraki Over NASS New Clerk Appointment

Nigerian Pilot - Battle over who takes over from the incumbent clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, appears to be getting out of hand as the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission, Adamu Fika, has confronted the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on why the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori cannot be reversed.

Saraki had, in a letter last week, asked the Chairman of National Assembly Service Commission to reverse the appointment of Sani-Omolori as the acting clerk of National Assembly.

He rather asked the Commission to consider, Benedict Efeturi, the deputy acting clerk of National Assembly, for the position.

However, in response to Saraki’s letter, Fika said reversing the decision of the Commission appointing Sani-omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly cannot be tenable because it is against the Nigerian Public Service rule.

In a memorandum he submitted to the 440th meeting of the Commission held on April 20, Fika explained that Efeturi was not appointed to the position because he would proceed on retirement leave on August 2.

He said in conformity with the convention and practices of the service, no officer who has less than six months to retire would act in higher office.

“Mr. Benedict Efeturi, who presently acts as Deputy Clerk to National Assembly, will also proceed on his three months terminal leave on 2nd August, 2016, days before the end of the current Clerk’s terminal leave,” he said, adding: “It is neither expedient nor in conformity with convention and practices of the Service for an officer who has less than six months left to retire from service to act in a higher office.

“Mr. Mohammed Sani-Omolori, the present Clerk of the House of Representatives who therefore remains the next most senior officer in the services of the National Assembly will remain in service till 2021.”

Against the backdrop of reports that seven commissioners of the National Assembly service commission rejected Mohammed Sani-Omolori’s appointment as acting clerk of the National Assembly, one of the commissioners, Idi Adamu Ningi, has denied same saying he at no time rejected Omolori’s appointment.

Ningi, in a letter, had on April 19 declared support for Sani-Omolori’s appointment as acting clerk.

Also, the commissioner in a statement issued explained the circumstance which led to his signature being among those who rejected Omolori’s appointment.

According to him, the signatures of commissioners on the list taken were from an attendance sheet from a meeting which held between the commissioners and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at his residence.

He said: “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. I and one of my colleague’s – 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.

Ningi continued: “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.”

But in a swift reaction, six out of the commissioners who attended the meeting with the Senate President lambasted Ningi saying he lied.

The commissioners in a counter statement issued described as unfortunate Ningi’s denial, adding that they were disappointed at his inability to stand by his word.

The statement read: ”It has come to our attention that a member of the commission, Idi Adamu Ningi, has denied rejecting the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as acting clerk of the National Assembly.

“It is unfortunate that he could speak from both sides of the mouth, an action which speaks of how much of a liar and traitor he is.

“We expect that a man of his age and standing should know better than to publicly deny a position he had earlier taken in the last meeting which held between us and the Senate President in the interest of the commission which has been brought to disrepute owing to the crisis rocking the commission.

“Moreso, to think that Idi Ningi could fall so cheap for financial inducement shows that he is not one to call a dependable ally, neither is he in anyway worthy of confidence. His recant demonstrates a lack of maturity that glaringly tells about his character. He is a betrayer and sellout,” the statement said.

AS it is now, the battle gets messier as both the political wing of the Senate and the commission is deep rooted in the battle of who will succeed Maikasuwa, Efeturi or Omolori?

More Agony As NASS Clerk Who Aided Saraki In Shady Senate Election 'SACKED'

More agony for the embattled President of Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki as the Clerk of the National Assembly and the man who made it possible for Bukola Saraki to become senate president, Malam Salihu Maikasuwa has been replaced.

The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) for a period of three months effective from Friday, May 13, 2016 when the incumbent, Salisu Maikasuwa, will proceed on pre-retirement leave ahead of his retirement later in August.

It was reported on Monday that Maikasuwa would be proceeding on his compulsory pre-retirement leave on Friday, May 13, 2016.

Maikasuwa has a deputy, Ben Efeturi, who, by tradition, should succeed him. Apart from Efeturi, there is a pool of secretaries of the Directorates.

They include Daniel Adem of Legal Services; Olajide Adelami of Procurement, Estate and Works; Lasisi Bukoye of Finance and Accounts; C. J. Usman, Corporate Affairs and Dr. Moma Efretuei of Common Services.

It was learnt that since they are in the rank of Permanent Secretaries, they are eminently qualified for appointment as CNA.

But the NASC decision was conveyed in a letter addressed to Sani-Omolori through Maikasuwa yesterday.

It was titled “Appointment As Acting Clerk To The National Assembly” dated Wednesday, April 20, 2016 and signed by NASC executive chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed Fika.

“I am writing to inform you that the National Assembly Service Commission at its 440th meeting held on Wednesday 20th April, 2016 has approved your appointment as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly. This appointment who takes effect from 13th May, 2016 to 15th August, 2016 is in exercise of its powers as provided in Section 6b of the National Assembly Service Act 2014.

“The appointment is in recognition of your hard work, dedication to duty and very responsible conduct since joining the service. I have no doubt in my mind that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by the Commission and the Leadership of the National Assembly,” Fika wrote.

Meanwhile, before the appointment of Sani-Omolori was made public yesterday, there were already subterranean moves by the top echelons of the NASC to jettison seniority and install him as the next substantive Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA).

Although the number two official in the National Assembly bureaucratic ladder and current Deputy Clerk (DNA), Ben Efeturi, initially looks set to take over from Maikasuwa, but information gathered suggested that the powers-that-be were looking at a contrary direction to pick a successor to the retiring CNA.

Insiders said the unfolding scenario is contrary to the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as the NASS commission has breached due process by appointing its preferred candidate.

“Incidentally the plot is at the instance of the commission chairman, who understands bureaucracy very well, but he is doing everything to achieve the aim,” a top official said.

The official, who preferred not be named, added that the commission had earlier met on Monday and Tuesday this week over the matter.

The commission comprises 12 members while its chairman, Fika, who hails from Yobe State, is said to be backing Omolori, who is an indigene of Kogi State.

Fika was said to be on the necks of other commissioners of NASC, urging them to recommend Omolori while he is said to be pushing for the retirement of Efeturi.

Omolori is the current clerk of the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly and was said to have been eager to become the CNA eventually and become the substantive CNA in August when Maikasuwa retires.

“Ideally, Efeturi should be the acting Clerk of NASS since he has few months to retire while Mr Olajide Adelami ought to be appointed as acting Deputy Clerk of NASS. This is in line with the rules, competence, cognate experience and capacity,” the source added.

It is on record that Fika had about two years ago unilaterally appointed Omolori as the deputy CNA without resolution and due process. But other members kicked. This prompted Fika to reverse Omolori’s appointment while Efeturi was later appointed as the DNA.

The former Clerk who presided over the senate leadership elections in June last year favoured Saraki and his group by staging the exercise while nearly half the senators converged at the International Conference Center for a scheduled meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Prior to the inauguration and the subsequent leadership elections, the Clerk directed the affairs of the National Assembly and could have shifted the elections till later in the day to allow for the presence of full house in the red chamber

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The retiring Clerk who will proceed on terminal leave in the middle of next month will be remembered by Nigerians as one of the greatest saboteurs of President Buhari's change agenda