Akpabio Opposes Service Extension for Bureaucrats in NASS

Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has strongly criticized the practice by senior bureaucrats in the National Assembly of remaining in office beyond their prescribed service years.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during a meeting with the outgoing Chairman and members of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Akpabio called on the NASC to exercise the powers granted to it by law and take immediate action to remove such bureaucrats.

Akpabio expressed mixed feelings about the visit from the outgoing NASC leadership, recognizing the experience and contributions of the outgoing Chairman, but also highlighting several shortcomings observed during their tenure.

“One of such lapses is the reluctance of some clerks in the National Assembly, Senate, or House of Representatives to exit office when their years of service expire, and the inaction of the commission in enforcing service expiration for these bureaucrats,” Akpabio said.

He further added, “Tolerating such behavior has led to unnecessary political interference in the system, resulting in factionalization within the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) and threats to take the leadership of the National Assembly to ‘Berekete Radio,’ even though Nigeria has not established such a platform.”

Akpabio emphasized that the politicization of the tenure of National Assembly staff had become a significant issue due to the actions and inactions of the NASC, urging the commission to adhere strictly to the terms outlined in staff appointments.

He pointed out instances where clerks, secretaries, and directors refused to proceed on terminal leave, which he described as clear cases of service elongation that the NASC must enforce.

In response, Akpabio proposed potential amendments to the NASC’s Establishment Act, suggesting that the NASC Secretary work more closely with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure a more disciplined and efficient service delivery system.

Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of NASC, Engineer Ahmed Kadi Amshi, informed the Senate President that he and five other National Commissioners would be completing their tenure on February 7, 2025, after serving five years since their appointment on February 7, 2020. Amshi also noted that the commissioner representing the South East would remain in office until October 14, 2026, due to a later appointment made on October 15, 2021.

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