Tha National Assembly Legislatives Aides Forum (NASSLAF), Central Working Committee (CWC), rose from its extraordinary meeting today by suspending Mr Emeka Nwala the chairman of the Forum.
In a release signed by Toyo Jimmy,
Public Relation Officer of NASSLAF, dated
28 October, 2024, stated that the decision was made at the extraordinary meeting of the Committee held at Meeting Room 441, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The CWC of the Forum which was charged with the responsibility to, among others, elect and take disciplinary action against officers and members of the Forum, suspended the chairman for flagrantly flouting the provisions of the Constitution, acting unilaterally without due regard to constituted authorities under NASSLAF, failure to follow up and ensure the payment of 28 days to management aides, and on other grounds.
After the suspension, the Committee resolved to appoint the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Hon Ishaq Baba Sale, the Acting Chairman. The Committee also resolved that Congress should be called, and steps should be taken to amend the NASSLAF Constitution immediately. The Acting Chairman was also enjoined to work together with Executive Committee, Central Working Committee, zonal leaders, state caucus chairmen, and other stakeholders in NASSLAF towards ensuring that the interest of members of NASSLAF is protected, particularly by ensuring that members take benefit of the minimum wage law signed into law by the President. The Committee urged Mr Nwala to stop parading himself as the Chairman of NASSLAF.
The suspension has been communicated to the President of the Senate, the Rt Hon Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission and other authorities under the National Assembly.
Accompanying this release is the grounds for the suspension and names and signatures of the CWC members approving the suspension. 32 out of 48 members of the CWC signed off on the suspension.
Before the suspension of Mr Nwala, the Executive Committee had passed a vote of no confidence on him for insubordination to the Executive Committee and violations of the NASSLAF Constitution. The vote was passed by 8 out of 11 members of the Executive Committee.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman, Hon Sale, has urged aides to remain calm as he will work to ensure that the interest and welfare of aides are protected. He promised to be a listening leader, paying heed to the views and advice of the members of the Forum.
The decision to suspend Mr Nwala was not taken lightly, but with serious consideration of the welfare and wellbeing of our members and in order to have an effective leadership that will be able to robustly serve the interest of members.