News
Tenure of National Assembly Service Commission Board ends today
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The five-year tenure of the board of the National Assembly Service Commission [NASC], under the chairmanship of Engr Ahmed Amshi, will end today, Friday, February 7, 2025.
The Board held a valedictory meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2025 to deliberate and finalise its winding down process.
The commission was inaugurated in 2015 consequent upon the enactment of the Establishment Act.
The 13-member board (with two members from each geo-political zone as circumscribed in the enabling Act) was proposed under the Bukola Saraki Senate Presidency from 2015- 2019, with Senator Joy Emordi penciled down as Chairman, but the arrangement was not consummated until Saraki left office.
The board was inaugurated under Ahmad Lawan Senate Presidency in 2020 with Ahmed Amshi, a legislative aide to Lawan, getting appointed as chairman to preside over a 13-member board that comprised some former federal legislators both from the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Act of 2014 gives the NASC the power to manage human resources, make regulations, and handle establishment matters for the National Assembly.
It is saddled with the responsibilities to appoint, promote, and transfer staff members, in addition to dismissing and exercising disciplinary control over staff members.
In addition, it establishes a retirement benefit scheme for retiring officers and makes regulations relating to conditions of service, including salaries and allowances.
NASC formulates and implements guidelines for its functions.
It handles establishment matters of the National Assembly, including appointment of the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, and other offices in the service of the National Assembly
The Commission submits an estimate of its income and expenditure to the National Assembly each year.
The NASC is empowered to handle these functions without having to rely on the Federal Civil Service Commission.
In 2020 the Commission sent jitters down the spines of staff members by directing the then Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Ataba Mohammed Omolori and over one hundred and fifty (150) staff members due for retirement, to retire immediately.
However, after the administrative cleansing, the commission became highly political, indulging in moves, overtures, and decisions that compromised and undermined its mandate.
Recently, after successfully and seamlessly consummating the appointment of Barrister Kamorudeen Ogunlana as the substantive Clerk to the Natiional Assembly, it had gone ahead to mess up the appointment of the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly by elevating the wrong person to the position.
The plot orchestrated by Engineer Amshi saw Ibrahim Atiku named as acting DCNA, but after the top bureaucrats protested to the leadership of the National Assembly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, intervenef to cure the mischief caused by Amshi.
Bashir Yero was eventually picked from the pool of 13 permanent secretaries to step into the position of DCNA.
It would be recalledl that the Senate confirmed the appointment of board members for the National Assembly Service Commission with Ahmed Amshi, the former Senior Legislative Aide to the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan as Chairman. Mr. Amshi, along with 12 others, in 2015.
Amshi has served out his term of five years as the executive chairman. The same applies to members of the Commission.
In a letter read by the then President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, at the plenary session of Tuesday, 10 December 2019, the then President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded the names of the nominees for screening and confirmation.
Members of the Board included Babagana Modu, Sen. Abubakar Tutare, Hakeem Akamo, Tunrayo Akintomide, Atanomeyorwi Francis, Engr. Bassey Etuk, Hon. Bassey Etuk, Hon. Bailyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, Sadi Saidu Kazaure, Sen. Julius Ucha, Nnamdi Anyaehie, Auwalu Aliyu Ohindase, and Muazu Is’haq.
The constitution of a new Board had raised several controversies arising from the earlier nomination of Sen. Joy Emordi as the Executive Chairman and the extension of tenure for the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Sen. Emordi, who had earlier been nominated for the office, was expected to take over from Dr. Adamu Fika, the immediate past Chairman whose tenure expired in July 2019, following his retirement from the Federal Civil Service.
The Senator Emordi takeover [proposed chairmanship] fell through as she did not make the list eventually.
THE CONCLAVE
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced adjustment for the campaign period ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The adjusted schedule for the election was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election and adjusted the Osun State Governorship Election forward by one week from the 8th of August 2026 to the 15th.
“As a result of this adjustment, the last day for political parties’ campaigns in the state is now midnight on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in line with Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that campaigns shall end 24 hours prior to election day.
“The Commission urges all political parties, candidates, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the revised timeline.
“INEC remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” the statement read.
Fresh allegations have surfaced against former Zamfara State Governor and current senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, accusing him of engaging in large-scale financial inducements aimed at influencing political figures and advancing his ambition to become Nigeria’s Vice President.
According to claims attributed to unnamed sources, Yari is allegedly distributing billions of naira to politicians and influential individuals, while reportedly keeping detailed records of such transactions for potential leverage. The allegations suggest that these actions are part of a broader effort to position himself as a possible running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should there be any change involving current Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The report further alleges that Yari has made substantial monthly payments to key political figures, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, as well as providing funds to presidential aides to secure access and influence.
In addition, Yari is said to have targeted individuals within the inner circle of the President, including associates and family members. One claim alleges that he distributed millions of dollars during a recent birthday event for Gilbert Chagoury.
The senator is also reportedly linked to the establishment of a political support group, the Renewed Hope Network, allegedly funded with billions of naira and coordinated through political ally James Abiodun Faleke.
Further allegations tie Yari to past financial dealings involving late former President Muhammadu Buhari and former First Lady Aisha Buhari, with claims that funds were exchanged and later referenced during investigations into alleged fraud cases.
Sources also claim that Yari’s wealth is partly derived from illegal gold mining activities in Zamfara State, alongside consultancy payments reportedly received from the Federal Government.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Yari or the individuals named in the allegations. The claims also remain unverified, and no formal charges or independent confirmations have been publicly established.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that he is ready to contest the 2027 election to seek a second term in office as Nigeria’s leader.
According to him, he is ready to break the shackles of ignorance and poverty, put freedom in the hearts of Nigerians and ensure democracy survives.
Taking a swipe at opposition parties, President Tinubu said he wants to give something different from the rascality or noise-making of a street convention.
According to him, the country must submit to the principles of separation of powers and respect the judiciary even when rulings don’t favour a particular group.
Naija News reports that Tinubu made the declaration when he met with the leadership and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu added that he can’t be intimidated by the antics of opposition parties and politicians, declaring that he was once in their shoes and understands the game.
“They want to scare me off? It’s a lie. I have been through this path before, and if I have to come back over and over again, I will do the same thing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his interest in the 2027 presidency.
Onanuga argued that Atiku is simply pursuing a self-serving interest without regard for zoning or Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement, which gives preference to a southern candidate for the 2027 presidency.
According to the presidential media aide, Atiku has constantly disregarded zoning arrangements in his previous ambitions for the presidency, leading to a crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He added that Atiku’s open declaration of intent to contest the 2027 presidency is following the same route and may plunge the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into similar troubles.
Onanuga, however, predicted that Atiku would suffer a resounding defeat at the polls, describing him as a man who never learns.
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