Factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Martin Amaewhule has rubbished the recent posting of the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, and his deputy, Calistus Ojirika, by the Rivers state government and urged Rivers people to disregard it.
Recall that the State Government had ordered some changes in the state civil service, including the redeployment of the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, and his deputy.
Although no reason was given for the redeployment, pundits believed the development may be connected to the political crisis in the state.
A memo from the State Head of Service, Dr George Nweke, on Thursday said Amadi (the House Clerk) has been redeployed to the Scholarship Board.
Similarly, the Deputy Clerk of the House, Calistus Ojirika, who doubles as Head of Legislative Department in the House of Assembly, was posted to the Readers Project.
The memo, which is titled ‘Rivers State Governor Effects New Postings in Rivers Civil Service’ said the reposting takes immediate effect.
It directed the affected officers to complete handover procedures to the most senior officials in their respective departments, adding that their service records are expected to be moved to the offices of their new postings.
The memo reads, “The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke vide Circular No. A238/VOL.XV(15)/81 dated 20th November, 2023 has effected some postings in the state’s civil service.
“In a memo titled, ‘Senior Staff Posting,’ Dr Nwaeke listed those affected to include Mr. Emeka Amadi, Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly now deployed to Scholarship Board.
“Mr IK. Calistus Ojirika, Feputy Clerk and Head of Legislative Department in the House of Assembly now posted to the Readers Project, while Mr. Georgewill Otto an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is now moved to Rivers State Small Town and Rural Water Supply Agency.
“The memo stated that the posting takes immediate effect and further directed the affected officers to complete handover procedures to the most senior officers in their respective departments as their service records are expected to be moved to the offices of their new postings.”
Reacting however, Amaewhule said, ”the so-called posting of clerk and deputy is null and void”.
He pointed out that their appointment and removal was purely the job of Mr. Speaker and 2/3 majority of the house.
Once appointed, he stated that they can only be removed by the provisions of the same Rivers state House of Assembly Commission Law that prescribed their appointment.
Furthermore, he noted that Officers of Government that undermine and attack the legislature will have a date with the constitutional empowered house.
He said; ”Section 6(1)a says there shall be a Clerk of the Assembly which shall be appointed by the Speaker from the Legislative/Clerk at Table cadre and the appointment shall be based on seniority, merit, competence and experience subject to the confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
”Section 7(1) says that the Speaker shall appoint the Deputy Clerk who shall be the most senior officer from the Legislative Officer/ Clerk cadre.
‘The procedure for the removal of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly is provided for in Section 6 (4) and Section 7(3) respectively. Section 6(4) reads “The Clerk shall be removed from office upon a petition to the State House of Assembly and a Resolution passed by two-thirds (2/3) majority of Members of the House for his inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or from any other cause) or for misconduct.
”Meanwhile,Section 93 of the 1999 Constitution as amended says that.
“There shall be a Clerk to a House of Assembly and such other staff as may be prescribed by a Law enacted by the House of Assembly, and the method of appointment of the Clerk and other staff of the House shall be as prescribed by that Law.
