Concerned Professionals in National Assembly Laud Akpabio Over Cancellation of NASC Appointments
The Concerned Professionals in the National Assembly have commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio for ordering the cancellation of recent appointments made by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).
According to the group, the appointments failed to follow due process, particularly in terms of competence, seniority and adherence to established legal procedures governing such appointments.
They noted that the Senate President rightly intervened after observing that the process did not comply with the laws and guidelines set by the appropriate authorities.
It was gathered that Akpabio directed the commission to ensure that all future appointments strictly align with the principles of competence, seniority and federal character.
In a statement signed by its leader, Simon Okechukwu, the group described the decision as a step towards promoting transparency and fairness within the commission’s appointment process.
The professionals also called on the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee, constituted by the Senate President, to thoroughly scrutinise documents and service records of prospective appointees before making any recommendations.
They stressed that the Establishment Committee has a crucial role to play in ensuring that appointments and promotions within the National Assembly management are based on merit, seniority and balanced federal representation.
The group further urged the committee to welcome petitions from individuals and organisations, noting that such submissions would assist in uncovering irregularities in the system.
They alleged that some unqualified individuals were attempting to influence the process through financial inducements, as was reportedly done before the appointments were cancelled.
Expressing confidence in Patrick Giwa, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives and now a commissioner in the NASC, the group said his experience and integrity would strengthen the reform process.
The statement also highlighted concerns in the engineering department, where senior officers who had not met the required promotion criteria were allegedly bypassed, contrary to established service rules.
It will be recalled that the NASC had earlier announced seven appointments—three in the House of Representatives and four at the management level—which were subsequently cancelled by the Senate President on grounds that due process, federal character and competence were not observed.
