There is concern among both career employees and political officials at the Ogun State House of Assembly regarding the appointment of a new Clerk.
The issue arose after the retirement of the House Clerk, Adedeji Adeyemo, in early March, and the assembly has not yet announced a replacement.
There are suspicions that the delay is part of a plan by the government to appoint a non-legislative staff member as the new clerk.
The most senior career employee in the legislative branch currently serves as the Clerk, similar to the Head of Service, who is under the control of the executive branch.
The appointment of a Head of Service is the governor’s decision, but must be chosen from the existing senior civil servants.
Employees at the Assembly believe they should have the opportunity to be promoted to the top position after dedicating many years to working for the government in the legislative branch.
During the 8th House of Assembly, Ogun State, like many other states in the country, passed a law that was approved by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. This law established the House of Assembly Service Commission.
According to the law, the most senior legislative staff should serve as the House clerk at all times.
Section 12(1) of the Law states that: “The Commission shall appoint (a) the most senior Deputy Clerk as the substantive Clerk of the House, subject to the confirmation of the House by a Resolution.”
Initial investigations have revealed that the law mentioned above has led to Deputy Clerks in various states such as Taraba, Zamfara, Delta, Osun, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Ondo, Kano, Cross River, Gombe, Lagos, Oyo, and Ekiti being appointed as clerks overseeing the activities of the assembly workers after being screened and confirmed by the Service Commissions.
