By Johnson Momodu
The removal of Mr. Andrew Nwoba as Clerk of the Senate has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning how a high-profile position was given to someone who allegedly lacked the requisite competence. Nwoba’s tenure was marked by gross misconduct and high levels of incompetence, sources say, with staff members often anxious about working with him due to his inability to understand and interpret Senate rules.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s public pronouncement of Nwoba’s incompetence further fuelled speculation about the circumstances surrounding his exit. Many believe that the Southeast zone, known for producing exceptional leaders, squandered an opportunity to showcase its talent by allowing sentiment to dictate the appointment of Nwoba. A Southeast senator from Ebonyi was alleged to have influenced the National Assembly Service Commission to deploy Nwoba in the Senate as Clerk. But unfortunately, his performance was underwhelming.
Whereas, the Southeasthas a rich history of producing outstanding leaders, including former Senate Presidents Chuba Okadigbo, Pius Anyim Pius, Ken Nnamani, and Evans Enwerem, who brought brilliance and intelligence to the role; whereas, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is another example of the zone’s leadership potential. Nwoba’s appointment and short odyssey as Senate Clerk was an anticlimax of the Igbo potentialities and possibilities.
His (Nwoba’s) removal consequently serves as a reminder that competence and merit should be the primary considerations for such critical positions. As the National Assembly moves forward, it is essential to prioritize excellence and professionalism in appointments to ensure effective governance and representation and not to pander to ethnic considerations.
In the bureaucratic hierarchy, the highest office holders are the Clerk to the National Assembly, Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate, and Clerk of the House of Representatives, in that order. As the third in command, the Clerk of the Senate is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Senate, coordinating floor management and administration, and guiding the presiding officer, whether the Senate President or his deputy, during plenary sessions.
However, Nwoba’s tenure as Clerk was uninspiring. He demonstrated a lack of understanding of the Senate rules, which serve as its foundational document, and failed to provide guidance to the presiding officer during debates. Staff members often found themselves anxious during sittings, hoping for a smooth working day without any backlash from the presiding officer due to Nwoba’s incompetence.
Overall, if the President of the Senate could unequivocally declare that the person entrusted to lead and guide him was incompetent, it speaks for itself. The Southeast zone had a golden opportunity to showcase its exceptional talent in the Clerk’s position but, instead, allowed parochial sentiments to cloud judgement, ultimately leading to Nwoba’s ignominious exit.
The claims of injustice to the southeast, arbitrary decision-making, lack of just cause, disregard for seniority, and extraneous considerations being insinuated into Nwoba’s removal as Clerk of Senate were not the substantive issues in his removal. The position of Senate Clerk cannot be the exclusive preserve of the Southeast. His removal was rooted in the mischief of his incompetence and inability to up his ante even after the obligatory refresher course approved by the Senate President.
It’s indeed intriguing that a particular zone would push for a permanent hold on a key leadership position in the National Assembly, given the exceptional track record of past Clerks of the Senate. Previous occupants of this office had consistently demonstrated top-notch skill, brilliance, intelligence, and competence. The likes of Emmanuel Ozubele, Ben Efeture, Adedotun Durojaiye, Nelson Ayewoh, Ibrahim el-Ladan, Akabueze, and Emmanuel Agada left indelible marks, earning respect and acclaim for their service. Notably, these individuals hailed from diverse zones—South South, South East, South West, North West, and North Central—a testament to the merit-based appointments that once defined the institution. Their legacies endure, making one wonder why meritocracy is being sacrificed for zoning considerations.
â– Johnson Momodu, a public affairs analyst, contributed this piece from Abuja.
