Former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said a situation where godfatherism determines who are elected or appointed into leadership positions must change.
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He also decried that politicians are jeopardizing public service in Nigeria by abusing the rules and regulations governing its operations through their actions.
Shekarau stated this while delivering a paper titled, ‘Challenges of Operating in Political Environment by Public Officers’ at a 4-day retreat organised for members of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and National Assembly’s top management staff which begins in Abuja on Friday.
The retreat was themed, ‘Promoting Inter-Institutional Synergy For Enhanced Legislative Performance’.
Shekarau said that public pronouncements of policies by political leaders made to impress their supporters were conflict with either budgetary provisions or with the rules and regulations of public service.
He added that irrelevant and unnecessary political appointments which overstretch available resources also created conflict of roles in public service.
According to him, the issue of leadership is the main key to the success or otherwise of any organization or society.
He added, “Though it (public service) represents just a minor fraction of the population it serves, it determines the progress or otherwise of entire society. Hence, allowing poor quality leadership in public service will mean poor and selfish policies, which will spell doom for entire society.”
The former governor therefore noted that the process of recruitment of political leadership through election or appointment must be reviewed.
He said, “The situation where financial worthiness or godfatherism determines who gets elected or appointed into leadership positions must change. Otherwise, we shall continue to have inexperienced, incompetent, selfish and morally bankrupt people as political leaders in public service.
“Political parties must ensure that only the RIGHT people get elected into party leadership positions, and who will, in turn, ensure that only credible, experienced and level-headed party members are presented as candidates to contest, or be appointed to any public office at all levels”.
In his address, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambawal who was represented by the Clerk to the Senate, Barr. Chinedu Akabueze, said the theme of the retreat, “Promoting Inter-Institutional Synergy for Enhanced Legislative Performance,” underscored the critical importance of collaboration and cooperation between the National Assembly Service Commission and the National Assembly.
“Even though we each have different roles and responsibilities, our success is intertwined. A robust and efficient National Assembly requires a strong partnership between and among all departments and organs,” he added.
In his opening remark, the executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, said the retreat provided a platform to discuss and review policy documents issued by the commission as well as circulars emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, to ensure proper understanding and effective implementation in the National Assembly Service.
He added, “It is further aimed at looking at other activities that are necessary to be carried out by the Managements of the Commission and the National Assembly to bring about efficient and effective service delivery”.
Speaking, the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), Clement Nwankw, said that as the institution that represents the gap between democracy and dictatorship, the National Assembly must be up and doing.
According to him, citizens must be well informed about the workings of the National Assembly to dismiss negative perceptions held against it.
He noted citizens expected a lot as regards the role of the National Assembly in democracy.
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