Open letter to the Niger state Governor, farmer Mohammed umaru Bago.
We, Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Association; a Gbagyi Socio-cultural group wish to express our deepest displeasure over the ongoing attempt to subvert not only appointment of a Gbagyi man as Clerk of the Niger House of Assembly but civil service rule and fundamental principle of justice and fairness against Gbagyi people.
Ordinarily, we would not have reacted to the fragrant attempt to abusing the ideal provision of the civil service career progression but for the sake of justice and fairness it has become necessary to set the record straight.
Before the establishment of the Assembly Service Commission, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk used to be posted from the Office of the Head of Service. In 2012, the Commission created two Deputy Clerks (Administration & Legislative). When Isah Bala Ibrahim and Saidu Aliyu Sallah were appointed Deputy clerks (Administration & Legislative) the former was on grade level 14 and the later was on grade level 15, but were immediately promoted to grade level 17.
In the same vein, when Ahmad M. Musa was appointed as Deputy Clerk in 2016, he was on grade level 16 and was immediately promoted to level 17. Our brethren, Dr. Ishaq Abbdullahi Paiko served as acting Deputy Clerk for 2 years (2020-2022) and when his appointment as Deputy clerk was confirmed by the Assembly Service Commission in 2022, he was on grade level 15 and was promoted to grade level 17, as has always been the practice, but the then Head Of Service refused to implement despite having his promotion letter.
Since the establishment of Niger State House of Assembly, it has produced six (6) Clerks, namely:
1. Alh. Muhammad Isah Doko (Lavun) 1978 – 1984
2. Alh. Ndagi Ladan (Bida) 1989-2003
3. Alh. Buhari Mohammed (Suleja) 2003-2007
4. Alh. Mohammed A. Rijau (Rijau) 2007-2011
5. Alh. Saidu Aliyu Sallah (Bida) 2011-2012 (Acting)
6. Alh. Abdullahi M. Kagara (Rafi) 2012-2024.
It is worthy of note that, Section 11 (1) (b) of Assembly Service Commission Law, 2021, empowers the Commission to appoint persons to hold offices in the Assembly, while sub-section (8) of same section 11 provides that “in making such appointments, consideration SHALL be given to seniority, cognate experience and competence”.
Further more, Section 15 (2) (a) provides that the Clerk shall be “an officer not below the rank of a Director on Grade Level 17 in the House of Assembly”.
We want to make it abundantly clear that any attempt to subvert natural progress in the appointment of a Gbagyi man who is currently the Deputy Clerk (Legislative) on grade level 17 will be resisted.
We therefore, wish to appeal to Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to as a matter of serious concern, intervene with a view to considering the appointment of a Gbagyi man as Clerk of the State House of Assembly.
Appointment of Gbagyi man who is already the due man for the revered position will not only give Gbagyi people a sense of belonging, but engender inclusiveness, justice and fairness which our Farmer Governor is known for.
Signed:-
Comrade Bako Wakili Bosso
President Gbegnu Boknu Yakwo Association
Niger State Chapter.
09/11/ 2024
