NASS urged to halt bill seeking to discriminate staff on CNA post

The Concerned Yoruba Youth of Nigeria has condemned the proposed bill by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that mandates only individuals who have served with the chambers to be appointed as the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA).

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the National President of the group, Oluwasegun Thompson, and its National Secretary, Ayofemi Badmus, said the proposed bill is a discrimination to well-meaning Nigerians that qualified to serve as the Clerk.

It said: “We are aware that the Clerk of the National Assembly plays a very important role in the functioning of the National Assembly, overseeing administrative duties, providing procedural advice, and ensuring the implementation of legislative decisions.

“It is a role that requires a deep understanding of parliamentary procedures, administrative acumen, and strong leadership skills. However, from our view, these qualities are not exclusive to individuals who have served within the chambers.

“While the objective of the bill may seem commendable on the surface, a deeper examination of the bill reveals several concerns that cannot be overlooked.

“First and foremost, after careful examination, we discovered that the bill appears to be discriminatory and clearly violates the terms of service that many National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) staff were employed under.

“The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives should be reminded that hundreds of committed employees of the National Assembly Service Commission have tirelessly devoted their lives to ensuring the legislature runs smoothly.

“Many of these people have devoted decades to honing their skills, becoming experts in the legislative process, and making significant contributions to the National Assembly’s expansion.

“However, It is believed that the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) was established to oversee the administrative functions of the National Assembly, which further includes the appointment, promotion, and discipline of its staff.

“The commission’s mandate has always been to ensure an efficient, professional, and non-partisan workforce that supports the legislative arm of government.

“By restricting the appointment of the CNA solely to individuals who have served within the chambers, the proposed bill obviously undermines the very essence of the NASC’s role and the career progression of its staff.

“Indeed, the Concerned Yoruba Youth of Nigeria believes that the appointment of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) should be based on competence, experience, and merit.

“The current system no doubt opens the floor for a large pool of qualified candidates, including those who have served in various capacities within the National Assembly’s administrative framework.

“But by narrowing the eligibility criteria with the new proposed Bill, we risk excluding individuals who possess the requisite institutional knowledge and skills, solely because they have not served directly within the chambers.

“We must prevent the emergence of such a preventable calamity. In addition to being discriminatory, this bill directly violates the fundamental values of competence, professional advancement, and institutional justice.

“Nonetheless, we are confident that the House of Representatives, as a critical arm of government, will listen to reasons, and reconsider this ill-advised Bill. The legislature must remain a place where merit and competence take precedence over restrictive and discriminatory policies.

“Therefore, we call on the speaker of the House of Representatives to stepdown this Bill with immediate effect. We further all well-meaning lawmakers to resist every evil attempt to manipulate the career structure of National Assembly Service Commission for sectional or personal gains.”