Amid controversy that his desperate bid to stay put in office instead of proceeding on his compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave generated, Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Architect Amos Ojo on Monday night bowed out of office.
THE CONCLAVE reports that Architect Ojo was, on Monday, issued a letter to proceed on his pre-retirement leave, effective November 14th, 2022.
In a draft letter sighted by THE CONCLAVE, before it was sent out, Architect Ojo is to hand over to the next most senior officer while the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, holds a series of meetings and consultations with the National Assembly leadership to appoint a new CNA.
The draft letter reads in part:
“APPROVAL LETTER OF PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE FOR THE OUTGOING CNA
“NASC/PF/SS/1378
14th November, 2022
“Ojo Olatunde Amos,
Clerk to the National Assembly,
National Assembly Complex,
Three-Arms-Zone,
Abuja.
“RE: COMMENCEMENT OF TERMINAL LEAVE ON 14TH NOVEMBER, 2022, EVENTUAL RETIREMENT ON 14TH FEBRUARY, 2023, AND NOMINATION FOR VACANT POSITIONS
“Your letter dated 8th November, 2022, on the above subject matter refers, please.
“The National Assembly Service Commission at its meeting held on 14th November, 2022 considered your letter and approved the commencement of your pre-retirement leave w.e.f 14th November, 2022 and your eventual retirement on 14th February, 2023.
“As you proceed on your pre-retirement leave, you are tp be guided by the provision of the Public Service Rules 100238 and HCSF/PS/CSO/556/11/131 of 1st August, 2012….
“While the Commission is working on the appointment of your successor as the Clerk to the National Assembly, you are to hand over your duties to the most Senior Officer in the National Assembly Management.
“As you finally exit from the Service on the 14th February 2023, the Commission hereby appreciates your valuable contributions to the National Assembly Service and pray that God will continue to grant you good health and successes in your future endeavours.
“Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, FNSE_
Executive Chairman”
However, some lawmakers and stakeholders have expressed reservations at the NASC’s lack of foresight, proactiveness and pragmatism to deal with the succession issue.
Their concern was that the NASC should not have allowed the succession to be bogged down by the unnecessary and embarrassing moves by Architect Ojo to circumvent the public service rule on compulsory three-month pre-retirement leave.
They pointed out that the commission knew long time ago that Architect Ojo would leave at a particular time, yet the Commission did nothing to address it.
They wondered what the commission wanted to benefit from the preventable leadership succession crisis that had been created.
According to them, such act of the commission’s indecision and delay bred the confusion and the unnecessary tension in the National Assembly over the issue.
One of the lawmakers alluded to the fact that the chairman and his commissioners were creating a fertile ground for corruption.
Stakeholders expressed disappointment in the Engr Kadi Amshi led commission, declaring that it had failed in carrying out its responsibility.
In fact, they charged Nigerians to be vigilant, noting that members of the commission have failed abysmally and should not be rewarded with tenure renewal.
A staff member said that in the history of the national assembly service commission, the Amshi-led team was about the worst by all standard.
Meanwhile, as the Commission shops for the next CNA, the consensus is that the Commission should do so quickly and dispassionately to avoid the confusion the Architect Ojo saga had brought upon the Commission and the National Assembly.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
