President Tinubu Urged to Sign Bill on Reviewed Retirement Age for NASS Staff: A Call for Support and Progress

The Chairman of Alliance for Credible Legislative Conducts, Clement Afuye, urged President Bola Tinubu to sign into law a Bill that would increase the retirement age of National Assembly staff by five years.

This call for action comes after the Senate and House of Representatives passed the Bill last week, aiming to strengthen the legislative institution and address its manpower needs.

Afuye emphasized that the additional years would not exacerbate unemployment in the country; rather, it would stabilize the parliament, deepen its procedures and practices, and increase its capacity to deliver for the good of democracy and the country.

The group believes that the added years would reduce costs, curb brain drain, retain competent and experienced staff, and ensure optimum productivity and effectiveness of the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.

The Alliance for Credible Legislative Conducts called on President Tinubu, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to sign the Bill as a testament to his progressive and effective leadership style aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy and democracy as a critical member of the global community.

The National Assembly, as the symbol of democracy in Nigeria, is still evolving and trying to develop its practices and procedures compared to the other two Arms of Government.

The bureaucratic structure of the National Assembly has been evolving since 1979, when Nigeria transitioned from a parliamentary to a presidential system of government.

Intermittent military interference and suppression of the legislature during the reign of military governments further impacted the National Assembly’s development.

The creation of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) in 2000 helped to establish the National Assembly’s bureaucracy as fully independent.

The Alliance for Credible Legislative Conducts emphasized that any measures that would enable the National Assembly to operate to its fullest statutory capacity should not be silenced or truncated by any selfish group or individuals.

They believe that signing the Bill will be an added cap on President Tinubu’s reforms efforts and will contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s democracy and economy.

The call for President Tinubu to sign the Bill on the reviewed retirement age for National Assembly staff represents a crucial step towards the strengthening and progress of Nigeria’s legislative institution, ensuring its capacity to serve the country effectively and contribute to its growth and development.