One of the Federal Commissioners of the National Assembly Commission, Alhaji Idi Ningi, has revealed how his signature indicating an attendance at a meeting with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was turned into a document in which he was said to have disassociated himself from the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Omolori as the acting Clerk of the National Assembly.
Sani-Omolori’s appointment was announced through a letter by the Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Fika, last Wednesday. But Senator, who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, in a letter to Fika, argued that Benedict Efeturi should have been considered for the position since he (Efeturi) is currently the Deputy Clerk
Sani-Omolori and Efeturi are Clerk to the House of Representatives and Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly respectively.
Ningi, in a statement said that he only signed the attendance register at the meeting held in the residence of Saraki over the appointment of Sani-Omolori and not a document disassociating himself from such appointment
The statement, titled: “I did not sign any protest letter,” reads: “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.
“Myself and one of my colleagues – 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 colleagues (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.
“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.” [myad]
