NASS Group Backs Akpabio Over Cancellation of Appointments

A group known as the Concerned Professionals in the National Assembly has thrown its support behind Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to cancel recent appointments made by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).

The group described the action as lawful, timely and consistent with due process, noting that the cancelled appointments did not meet statutory requirements in areas such as competence, seniority and federal character.

Akpabio, who chairs the NASC, had directed that all future appointments must strictly follow due process and be guided by merit, seniority and equitable representation across the federation.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its leader, Mr Simon Okechukwu, the group said the cancellation would promote transparency, fairness and institutional credibility within the National Assembly’s administrative system.

The professionals also urged the Patrick Giwa–led Establishment Committee, set up by Akpabio, to carry out a comprehensive review of personnel records and relevant documents before recommending individuals for appointment or promotion.

According to the group, the committee has a key responsibility to ensure that appointments and promotions comply with established rules on competence, seniority and federal character balance.

They further encouraged the committee to receive petitions from individuals and groups, saying such submissions would help uncover irregularities, address grievances and strengthen confidence in the process.

The group alleged that some unqualified individuals attempted to influence the appointment process with large sums of money, which they claimed contributed to the flawed appointments that were later cancelled.

Expressing confidence in the committee chairman, the group described Mr Patrick Giwa, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives and current NASC commissioner, as an experienced administrator known for integrity and adherence to due process.

The statement also raised concerns about promotions in the engineering department, where some senior officers were reportedly bypassed despite regulations requiring officers to complete at least two promotion levels before being eligible for advancement.

The controversy began after the NASC approved seven senior appointments — three in the House of Representatives and four management-level positions within the National Assembly bureaucracy.

The appointments sparked protests and petitions from staff unions, professional bodies and senior officers, who alleged breaches of due process, seniority, competence and federal character principles.

Following the complaints, Akpabio reviewed the process and ordered the cancellation of all seven appointments, insisting they failed to meet statutory requirements.

He subsequently directed that a fresh and transparent process be initiated and established the Patrick Giwa–led committee to examine records, review petitions and make recommendations on future appointments and promotions.

All seven appointments were eventually nullified after Akpabio concluded that they did not comply with the legal framework governing the National Assembly Service Commission.