Up to 22 former members of the House of
Representatives are presenting themselves for
jobs to serve as aides to the Speaker, Mr.
Yakubu Dogara, and the Deputy Speaker, Mr.
Yusuf Lasun, The PUNCH learnt on Tuesday.
Investigations showed that at least six of the ex-
lawmakers had been handed letters of
engagement to serve as special advisers to
Dogara and Lasun.
The majority of the job seekers were part of the
2011-2015 batch, members whose tenure at the
National Assembly rounded off on June 5.
A senior member of the House disclosed to The
PUNCH on Tuesday that some of the ex-
members were “very supportive” in the run up to
the election of the presiding officers of the
House on June 9.
“The jostling for jobs here started long before
now. Some of them worked in the speaker’s
team before the election.
“This is like compensating them for the roles
they played, but there are others who truly
requested to serve as aides to Dogara and his
deputy.
“Only a few have been confirmed really; there is
no possibility that everyone will be on board.
Many are still on the waiting list,” the official
added.
However, one of the engaged aides, a former
Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions,
Mr. Cyril Maduabum, was carried over from the
7th Assembly where he had served as Chief of
Staff to the Deputy Speaker at the time, Mr.
Emeka Ihedioha.
Findings indicated that among those Dogara and
Lasun had engaged so far were a former
Chairman, House Committee on Electoral
Matters, Mr. Jerry Manwe, who was appointed as
Chief of Staff to Dogara.
He was allegedly considered for the job ahead of
another former younger ex-lawmaker on the
grounds that Manwe was “more experienced in
administrative matters”, besides being a very
close friend.
The younger former member, who once served
as the deputy chairman of a popular House
committee in the 7th Assembly, is said to be
among those still on the awaiting list.
On his side, Lasun had appointed a former
member from Ekiti State, Mr. Bimbo Daramola,
as his chief of staff.
Daramola was formerly the Director-General of
the campaign organisation of a former Ekiti State
Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, in the last
governorship poll.
Similarly, a former Chairman, House Committee
on Science and Technology, Mr. Abiodun
Akinlade, is the Special Adviser on Special Duties
to the deputy speaker.
Another former Chairman on Youth Matters, Mr.
Kamil Akinlabi, is also a special adviser to Lasun.
But, when contacted, some of the members
described as “erroneous” any impression that
they were scrambling for the positions.
For example, Akinlade told The PUNCH that their
services were needed as experienced legislators
to help the presiding officers to stabilise the
House.
“This is not even about saying we are looking for
jobs or something. That is not correct.
“Some of us have up to 12 years of experience in
the House; so, the experience will help the
system.
“If you go to the Senate, you will see a similar
trend of keeping some experienced hands
behind”, he added.
The Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and
Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, did not
comment on the issue when his reactions were
sought.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to Lasun, Mr.
Wole Oladimeji, defended the decision of his
boss to hire ex-members as his aides.
He told The PUNCH that Lasun merely kept a
tradition of retaining some ex-members to serve
as advisers to presiding officers.
“This is not new; since the days of (Aminu)
Masari, some former members do serve as
advisers or work for the presiding officers,”
Oladimeji stated.
A source at Dogara’s office also claimed that
about six ex-members served as aides to the
immediate past Speaker of the House, Mr. Aminu
Tambuwal.
One of them was Mr. Sada Soli, who served as
Tambuwal’s chief of staff.

www.punchng.com/news/22-ex-reps-besiege-dogara-lasuns-offices-for-jobs/

The rich sha no want make poor man rich

U don't mean it