National Assembly Clerk tussle: Omolori edges out Efeturi

The ‎tussle over who becomes the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly was finally laid to rest on Thursday as the outgoing Clerk, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, reaffirmed the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori, the incumbent Clerk of the House of Representatives, as the incoming Clerk.
Maikasua, in memo dated May 12, 2016, named Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk in his absence.‎
It could be recalled that the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr. Adamu Fika, in a letter dated April 20, 2016, appointed Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly from May 14, 2016 to August 14, 2016.
This is the period during which Maikasuwa would observe his pre-retirement leave.
However, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his response to the appointment of Sani-Omolori, told Fika, through his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu, that he was not in support of the appointment of Omolori.
Saraki rather pushed for the appointment of the incumbent Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Ben Efeturi.
Saraki, in the letter, directed Fika to withdraw Sani-Omolori’s appointment letter forthwith and issue a fresh one for Efeturi on the grounds of seniority.
This was however not complied with by Fika, who, in another letter to Saraki, dated April 26, 2016, explained the circumstances that led to Sani-Omolori’s appointment as against Efeturi’s.
But the circular issued on Thursday by the outgoing CNA, appeared to have finally laid the issue to rest as the Outgoing clerk specifically stated that Sani-Omolori, as earlier appointed by Fika, would act in his absence.
Maikasuwa, in the circular titled: “Commencement of Terminal Leave,” said: “I am proceeding on my terminal leave from 14th May, 2016 to 14th August 2016.
“During my absence, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohamned A Sani-Omolori, will perform my duties, please.”