By John Okeke
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, has constituted an Independent Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations of marginalization and malpractice against Nigerian Candidates in the ongoing recruitment process in the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS).
This is sequel to the written complaints from the First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, on the recent lopsided recruitment exercise at the ECOWAS parliament which is manifestly skewed to serve the personal interest of member states to the exclusion of Nigeria.
In a statement by the ECOWAS Parliament, Speaker Tunis, has also directed the suspension of the ongoing recruitment exercises, pending the outcome of the investigation by the Independent Adhoc Committee.
It could recalled that Nigeria had threatened to withdraw its membership from ECOWAS if the regional body does not suspend the ongoing recruitment exercise as recently directed in the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
Nigerian representatives at the ECOWAS parliament issued the threat when some principal officers in the regional bloc defiled the directives and embarked on the illegal process of recruiting their relatives and cronies.
The lawmakers cite the huge financial commitments which Nigeria makes to the body as they said there was no commensurate return on investment for Nigeria in ECOWAS for all the country has done and is doing for the region.
The statement reads: “the action of the Honorable Speaker is in conformity to Rule Thirty-three (33) and Thirty-four (34) of the Rules of Procedures of the Parliament which provides that a Special Committee may be set up to address specific matters. The Speaker, in response to pressing emergencies, can set up an Ad Hoc Committee, in consultation with the Bureau, and inform Parliament at its next Session.
“The Terms of Reference of the Ad Hoc Committee shall be as follows: Investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct in the ongoing recruitment process at the ECOWAS Parliament; investigate allegations of marginalization of Nigerian Candidates in the current recruitment process; and investigate and determine if indeed the plenary adopted any Resolution concerning the subject matter (Recruitment of Staff), using normal parliamentary procedure.
“In the execution of its mandate, the Committee shall be granted access to all documents relating to the recruitment exercise and work with the Advisory Committee on Recruitment and Promotions at the ECOWAS Parliament, to under-study and review the exercise. The Adhoc Committee would be guided by the provisions of the Supplementary Act and the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.
“Finally, the ECOWAS Parliament, under the leadership of Right Honourable Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, affirms its stern commitment to fair labour practices and is devoted to upholding and protecting the rights of all Citizens of the Community to aspire for positions in any Community Institution, in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Staff Regulations and all related Protocols”.
The Adhoc Committee be headed by the Chairman of the Committee on Administration, Finance, and Budget, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume from Nigeria.
Other Members of the Committee are
Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu (Nigeria),
Hon. Fatoumatta Njai (The Gambia)
,Hon. Amadou Djibo Ali (Niger),
Hon. Kounon Nahou Agbandao (Togo)
,Hon. Caramo Camara (Guinea Bissau),
Hon. Moussokora Chantal Fanny (Cote d’ Ivoire) and Mr. Arboncana Oumarou Dicko (Clerk to the Committee)
“The Ad Hoc Committee is expected to commence investigation on 22nd August 2022 and report its finding to the Honorable Speaker in one week, after which a Bureau meeting will be convened to consider the report for onward submission to the Plenary for further legislative actions.”
