- Senate President Godswill Akpabio warns against tenure elongation by National Assembly officials.
- He calls on the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to enforce retirement at the stipulated time
- Akpabio promises legislative amendments to address loopholes in the NASC Establishment Act
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned against the practice of top bureaucrats within the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) extending their tenure beyond the stipulated period of service.
He called on the commission to utilise its statutory powers to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Akpabio issued the warning on Monday, January 27, while hosting the outgoing NASC Chairman, Ahmed Amshi, and other commission members during a courtesy visit to his office.
During the meeting, Akpabio urged the commission to address lapses observed during Amshi’s tenure.
He said, “Since you are handing over to the Secretary of the Commission, pending the time myself and the Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives will make recommendations for new Chairman and members, lapses observed within the last few years must be addressed.
“One of such lapses is the reluctance of some Clerks either to the National Assembly, the Senate or House of Representatives, to exit office at the expiration of their years of service and even lethargy on the part of the commission to ensure enforcement at the appropriate time against such elongated service-seeking bureaucrats.”
Akpabio expressed concern that tolerating such practices has fostered unnecessary politics within the system, leading to the division of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
He cited instances where some staff threatened to escalate their grievances to external platforms like Berekete Radio, also known as Human Rights Radio.
“Politicisation of tenure or years of service of staff of the National Assembly is due to actions and inactions of NASC which must be stopped by sticking to the provisions of letters of appointments issued,” he emphasised.
He further highlighted cases where clerks, secretaries, or directors refused to proceed on terminal leave, describing such actions as deliberate attempts to elongate their service. He urged the NASC to enforce its regulations more firmly.
To address the issue, Akpabio promised legislative amendments to the NASC Establishment Act, ensuring the Secretary of the commission collaborates closely with the National Assembly leadership to foster a disciplined and efficient service delivery system.
In his remarks, Ahmed Amshi revealed that he and five out of the six commissioners of the NASC would conclude their tenure on February 7, 2025, marking the end of their five-year service, which began on February 7, 2020.
“He should be quiet”: More reactions trail Akpabio’s call for citizens to stay amid “japa” crisis
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, called on Nigerians to prioritise their love for the country above the pursuit of financial gain.
The Senate President expressed that the nation's progress would be enhanced if citizens with various skills choose to remain in the country.
However, Akpabio’s comment had generated a wave of responses from Nigerians.
