Up to 22 former members of the House of Representatives are presenting themselves for jobs to serve as aides to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Speaker Yakubu Dogara
No fewer than 22 former members of the House of Representatives are lobbying the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yusuf Lasun for job opportunities as aides.
The PUNCH reports have it that about six ex-lawmakers have been given appointments 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 in June 5.
A senior member of the house who confirmed this stating in anonymity saying, “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,”
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.