Up to
22 former members of the House of Representatives are presenting themselves for
jobs to serve as aides to the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and the Deputy
Speaker, Mr. Yusuf Lasun, The national daily Punch learnt on Tuesday.
Investigations
showed that at least six of the ex-lawmakers had been handed letters of
engagement to serve as special advisers to Dogara and Lasun.
The majority
of the job seekers were part of the 2011-2015 batch, members whose tenure at
the National Assembly rounded off on June 5.
A senior
member of the House disclosed that some of the ex-members were “very
supportive” in the run up to the election of the presiding officers of the
House on June 9.
“The jostling
for jobs here started long before now. Some of them worked in the speaker’s
team before the election. This is like compensating them for the roles they
played, but there are others who truly requested to serve as aides to Dogara
and his deputy.”
“Only a
few have been confirmed really; there is no possibility that everyone will be
on board. Many are still on the waiting list,” the official added.
However, one
of the engaged aides, a former Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions,
Mr. Cyril Maduabum, was carried over from the 7th Assembly where he had served
as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker at the time, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha.
Findings
indicated that among those Dogara and Lasun had engaged so far were a former
Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr. Jerry Manwe, who was
appointed as Chief of Staff to Dogara.
He was
allegedly considered for the job ahead of another former younger ex-lawmaker on
the grounds that Manwe was “more experienced in administrative matters”,
besides being a very close friend.
The younger
former member, who once served as the deputy chairman of a popular House
committee in the 7th Assembly, is said to be among those still on the awaiting
list.
On his side,
Lasun had appointed a former member from Ekiti State, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, as
his chief of staff.
Daramola was
formerly the Director-General of the campaign organisation of a former Ekiti
State Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, in the last governorship poll.
Similarly, a
former Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, Mr. Abiodun
Akinlade, is the Special Adviser on Special Duties to the deputy speaker.
Another former
Chairman on Youth Matters, Mr. Kamil Akinlabi, is also a special adviser to
Lasun.
But, when
contacted, some of the members described as “erroneous” any impression that
they were scrambling for the positions.
For example,
Akinlade said that their services were needed as experienced legislators to
help the presiding officers to stabilise the House.
“This is not
even about saying we are looking for jobs or something. That is not correct.
“Some of us
have up to 12 years of experience in the House; so, the experience will help
the system.
“If you go to
the Senate, you will see a similar trend of keeping some experienced hands
behind”, he added.
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