Retired Civil Servants Urge Senate To Reject Bill On National Assembly Clerk Appointment

LAGOS – A coalition of retired civil servants in Nigeria has called on Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio to intervene and stop a proposed bill seeking to limit the appointment of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) to only individuals who have served within the legislative chambers.

The Coalition of Patriots (Retired Civil Servants) described the bill, which is being sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as “discriminatory, unjust, and a ticking time bomb.”

In a letter addressed to Akpabio, the coalition warned that the proposed legislation would set “a chaotic and destructive precedent” within the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) by barring highly qualified and competent staff from advancing to the highest position in their service.

They argued that such a move would violate labour laws, diminish morale among civil servants, and erode public trust in the fairness of the legislative process.

“This bill is an open violation of Nigerian labour laws, international best practices, and the fundamental principles of justice,” the statement read.

“It is an insult to the commitment and service of these individuals who were engaged under clear employment terms, only to be told that their legitimate career aspirations would now be permanently blocked through legislative fiat.”

The coalition accused lawmakers of attempting to create an exclusive class within the National Assembly, where political loyalty would take precedence over competence and experience. They expressed fears that, if passed, the bill would turn the NASC into a structure where “loyalty to lawmakers, rather than competence, determines promotion.”

“This is a deliberate ploy to sideline highly qualified and competent officers within the National Assembly Service Commission—individuals who have dedicated their years to building institutional capacity,” the statement added.

The group further warned that the bill could “trigger an unprecedented crisis within the National Assembly Service Commission, leading to mass outcry, protest, and disillusionment among staff members.”

“The National Assembly should be seen as a model for best governance practices. If this bill is passed, it will reinforce the belief that laws are made to serve a few privileged individuals,” the coalition said.

“When workers realize that their chances of career growth have been sealed off unfairly, it breeds dissatisfaction, apathy, and a toxic work environment.”

“Public service roles must be open to all qualified candidates. Excluding NASC staff from becoming CAN is an unreasonable restriction on their rights as civil servants.”

They listed ten reasons why the bill is unjust, arguing that it contradicts the NASC Act, negates the principle of meritocracy, and sets a dangerous precedent that could encourage other government agencies to adopt exclusionary policies. They also stated that the bill erodes public confidence in the National Assembly as a fair and just institution.

“No credible legislature operates in a manner that deliberately sidelines experienced public officers in their own service commission,” the coalition noted.

“If this bill is allowed to pass, other government agencies and institutions may begin adopting similarly exclusionary policies, which would ultimately fragment Nigeria’s civil service into unjustly divided classes.”

The group urged the Senate to step down the bill immediately and instead focus on strengthening institutional capacity through merit-based promotions.

They insisted that any attempt to block career progression for NASC staff would have damaging consequences on both the commission and the National Assembly as a whole.

They called on Akpabio to use his position to ensure that fairness and transparency remain the guiding principles of the National Assembly.

The letter was signed by Comrade Bango Tsokwa Thomas, Convener; Mr. Anthony Oziani, Coalition Secretary; and Alhaji Abdulrazak Muhammad, Director of Media and Strategy.

READ FULL LETTER BELOW.

Coalition of Patriots [ Retired Civil Servants].
FCT Abuja,
10th February, 2025.

The President of the Senate & Chairman, National Assembly
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone, Abuja
Nigeria.

Your Excellency,

A CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION TO STEP DOWN THE BILL EXCLUDING COMPETENT STAFF OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SERVICE COMMISSION FROM BEING APPOINTED AS CLERK TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (CAN)

With the highest sense of responsibility and patriotism, we, the undersigned members of the Coalition of Patriots [ Retired Civil Servants], write to you as the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly. Our purpose is to express grave concerns over the bill being sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which seeks to restrict the appointment of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) to only individuals who have served within the Chambers.

We consider this bill a ticking time bomb that will, if allowed to scale through, create an unjust, chaotic, and destructive precedent within the National Assembly Service Commission. It is our strong belief that the bill is not only discriminatory but also violates the spirit of fair employment, career progression, and merit-based appointments in Nigeria’s civil service; as this would further turn the NASC into a structure where loyalty to lawmakers, rather than competence, determines promotion.

As stakeholders in the democratic governance of this country, we urge the Senate, under your leadership, to rethink this bill, and prevent its disastrous implications by stepping it down with immediate effect,

Your Excellency, this bill as been seen in its truest form as a deliberate ploy to sideline highly qualified and competent officers within the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), these are people who have dedicated their years to building institutional capacity. It is an insult to the commitment and service of these individuals who were engaged under clear employment terms, only to be told that their legitimate career aspirations would now be permanently blocked through legislative fiat.

We believe that If it’s passed into law, this bill will trigger an unprecedented crisis within the National Assembly Service Commission, leading to mass outcry, protest, and disillusionment among staff members, further encouraging favoritism and cronyism which is dangerous to the established legislative framework of our nation.

However, We find it highly unacceptable that the Nigerian Legislature, which is supposed to be the bastion of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, would consider such an unjust bill that effectively blocks the career growth of an entire category of public servants.

We believe that the National Assembly, as an institution, should be guided by fairness, transparency, and the constitutional principle of equal opportunity for all Nigerian citizens. Apparently, this bill is an open violation of Nigerian labour laws, international best practices, and the fundamental principles of justice.

We, therefore, present ten (10) compelling reasons why this bill is discriminatory, unjust, and against the Nigeria Labour law:

1. It violates the principles of fair employment : – Nigeria’s Labour Act prohibits any form of workplace discrimination. This bill intentionally excludes qualified NASC staff from aspiring to the highest position in their service.
2. It breaches the National Assembly Service Commission Act:– The NASC Act was established to provide career progression for its staff, including the possibility of becoming the Clerk to the National Assembly. This bill contradicts those legal provisions.
3. It is an attempt to create an exclusive class within the National Assembly : – No law in Nigeria supports the idea that only persons from a particular background should be considered for a public office to the exclusion of others.
4. It negates the principle of meritocracy :– A system that eliminates competent, experienced, and highly skilled officers from leadership positions solely based on their department is regressive and counterproductive.
5. It contradicts constitutional principles of fairness:– Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) emphasizes that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Restricting qualified NASC staff from advancing in careers negates this principle.
6. It erodes public trust in legislative fairness :– The National Assembly should be seen as a model for best governance practices. If this bill is passed, it will reinforce the belief that laws are made to serve a few privileged individuals.
7. It fosters workplace discontent and reduces morale :– When workers realize that their chances of career growth have been sealed off unfairly, it breeds dissatisfaction, apathy, and a toxic work environment.
8. It is an unjust restriction of public service opportunities :– Public service roles must be open to all qualified candidates. Excluding NASC staff from becoming CAN is an unreasonable restriction on their rights as civil servants.
9. It contravenes international labour best practices :– Globally, no credible legislature operates in a manner that deliberately sidelines experienced public officers in their own service commission.
10. It sets a dangerous precedent :– If this bill is allowed to pass, other government agencies and institutions may begin adopting similarly exclusionary policies, which would ultimately fragment Nigeria’s civil service into unjustly divided classes.

Your Excellency, we urge you to use your position and influence as President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly to prevent this bill from seeing the light of day. It is not in the best interest of the National Assembly, the Nigerian labour workforce, or the general public.

A more progressive and fair approach would be to strengthen institutional capacity through merit-based promotions rather than implementing restrictive and divisive legislative actions that will breed discontent, set an unhealthy precedent, and undermines institutional stability.

We, Coalition of Patriots [ Retired Civil Servants], demand the immediate stepping down of this bill, as it serves no greater purpose beyond creating a class of privileged few while subjugating dedicated staff who have served the National Assembly diligently.

The stability of the National Assembly depends on fairness, transparency, and the ability to recognize and reward competence. The proposed bill is unjust, discriminatory, and destructive to the career aspirations of many public servants. It must not be allowed to stand.

We trust that the Senate under your leadership will uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law by rejecting this bill outrightly and ensuring that the National Assembly Service Commission remains a fair and merit-based institution.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. We look forward to your immediate intervention.

Yours sincerely,

Coalition of Patriots [ Retired Civil Servants].