Abuja
A group of professionals within the National Assembly has defended Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his decision to cancel a batch of controversial appointments made by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), describing the move as lawful, timely, and necessary to protect institutional integrity.
The group, which calls itself the Concerned Professionals in the National Assembly, said the cancelled appointments failed to meet key statutory requirements, including competence, seniority, and adherence to the federal character principle. It argued that Akpabio acted strictly within the powers conferred on him by law as Chairman of the NASC.
The intervention comes amid heightened tension within the National Assembly bureaucracy following weeks of protests, petitions, and internal discontent over the appointments, which critics said violated long-established rules governing recruitment and promotion within the legislature’s administrative structure.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its leader, Mr. Simon Okechukwu, the group said the Senate President’s decision was not arbitrary but grounded in the legal framework establishing the National Assembly Service Commission.
“The Senate President acted within the scope of his statutory authority,” the statement said. “The appointments in question did not satisfy the requirements of competence, seniority, and federal character, and their cancellation was both lawful and necessary.”
The group noted that Akpabio had directed the commission to ensure that all future appointments strictly follow merit-based principles, respect institutional hierarchy and reflect equitable representation across the federation.
According to the statement, this approach would strengthen transparency, fairness and professionalism within the National Assembly’s administrative system, which plays a critical role in supporting legislative work.
The Concerned Professionals also expressed support for the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee, set up by Akpabio to review personnel records, petitions, and appointment processes within the National Assembly.
The group urged the committee to conduct a thorough and unbiased review of all relevant documents before making recommendations on appointments and promotions.
“This committee has a responsibility not just to correct past errors but to restore confidence in the system,” the statement said. “Strict compliance with rules on competence, seniority, and federal character must be the guiding principle.”
It also encouraged the committee to receive petitions openly from individuals and groups, arguing that such transparency would help uncover irregularities, address grievances, and ensure that no legitimate complaints are ignored.
Beyond procedural issues, the group raised serious concerns about alleged attempts by some unqualified individuals to influence the appointment process using large sums of money.
According to the statement, such practices undermined the credibility of the process and contributed to the flawed appointments that were eventually cancelled.
The group also pointed to alleged irregularities within the engineering department of the National Assembly bureaucracy, claiming that some senior officers were bypassed in promotions, contrary to regulations requiring officers to pass through at least two promotion levels before advancement.
“These actions, if left unchecked, erode morale, encourage impunity and weaken institutional standards,” the group said.
Despite the controversy, the Concerned Professionals expressed confidence in the leadership of the Establishment Committee, describing Mr Patrick Giwa, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives and current NASC commissioner, as an experienced administrator with a strong record of integrity.
“Mr Giwa has served the National Assembly with distinction and understands the importance of due process,” the group said. “We believe the committee is well placed to correct anomalies and recommend reforms that will strengthen the system.”
The dispute began after the NASC approved seven senior appointments—three within the House of Representatives and four at the management level in the National Assembly bureaucracy.
Almost immediately, the appointments triggered protests and petitions from staff unions, professional bodies, and senior officers, who accused the commission of breaching due process, ignoring seniority, sidelining competence, and violating the federal character principle enshrined in law.
The backlash intensified as internal memos and petitions circulated, prompting calls for a full review of the process.
Following a review of the complaints, Senate President Akpabio ordered the cancellation of all seven appointments, insisting that the process did not meet statutory requirements.
He subsequently directed that a fresh, transparent appointment process be initiated and constituted the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee to examine personnel records, review petitions, and make recommendations on future appointments and promotions.
All seven appointments were eventually nullified, with Akpabio maintaining that any exercise carried out by the NASC must fully comply with the legal and ethical framework governing the commission.
The episode has reignited broader conversations about governance, accountability, and professionalism within Nigeria’s legislative institutions.
Observers say the controversy highlights long-standing tensions between political leadership and bureaucratic structures, as well as the need for clearer safeguards to prevent abuse of process in appointments and promotions.
For the Senate President and the NASC, the challenge now lies in restoring trust, ensuring fairness, and demonstrating that institutional rules apply equally to all—regardless of influence or status.
As the Establishment Committee continues its work, many within the National Assembly will be watching closely to see whether the reforms promised translate into lasting change.