Why Saraki Sacked His 98 Aides - Senate President's Spokesperson Reveals

 

TORI News had reported earlier today that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, sacked his director of protocol, head of administration and 96 others.

 

The office of the Senate President, have later on Thursday, disclosed that the sacking of aides to the senator was for efficiency, adding that the exercise was to reposition the office for efficient service delivery.

 

According to a report by Punch newspapers, the office, which refused to confirm the total number of those affected, explained that most of the officials affected were those posted from the National Assembly Service Commission, who were deployed back to the service.

 

While speaking to a correspondent, source in the Senate who confirmed the number of the sacked staff to 98, said most of the affected officials were inherited by Saraki, including the Director of Protocol, Arthur Ndiwe, who had occupied the office since Senator Ken Nnamani was Senate President.

 

It was further gathered that those affected were issued sack letters through the Chief of Staff to President of the Senate, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in batches.

 

Special Adviser to President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, while briefing journalists on the development on Thursday, said the downsizing was based on Saraki’s discretion, which was in turn “based on the judgment of a review committee.”

 

He explained that the “staff review” was the outcome of an assessment exercise which started four months ago.

 

He said, “It is entirely at his (Saraki’s) discretion to determine who works with him, those who are helping his agenda, and those areas where gaps need to be filled. This is important for the efficiency of the office.