Special Assistant On New Media To Senate President, Onemola Resigns
The Special Assistant on New Media to the President of the Senate, Mr. Olu Onemola has moved ahead of agitators for his removal by tendering his resignation.
Onemola in his letter of resignation addressed to the Senate President, said that given his personal antecedents, and the controversy that has been generated by his appointment, he does not think he can continue to hold the position.
The resignation of Onemola was later confirmed in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Isa on Sunday.
Onemola was one of the aides in the office of the President of the Senate, who served the former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki but re-appointed by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
Isa in the statement said Onemola commended Lawan for the offer to continue to serve and promote the work of the 9th Senate, “which I’m sure is borne out your (Lawan’s) patriotic desire to serve the Nigerian people.
“However, at this time, given my antecedents and the controversy this has generated, I would respectfully like to be excused from taking up this national assignment. It is my hope that whoever does fill this role will build upon what we have started in terms of opening up the activities of the Nigerian Senate to the public,” Onemola said in his letter of resignation.
Senator Lawan while accepting the resignation of Onemola, wished him the best in his future endeavours.
The President of the Senate had on Wednesday, appointed five former aides of his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki as contained in a letter to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Sani-Omolori.
The letter with reference number, NASS/9u./s/SP/APP/A/01 and dated 19th June, 2019 was signed by Chief of Staff to the President of the Senate, Babagana Muhammad Aji.
The appointees include Dr. Betty Okoroh as Special Assistant on Administration, Mohammed Isa – Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Olu Onemola – Special Assistant on New Media, Tope Brown Olowoyeye – Senior Legislative Aide on Publicity (Photographer) and Ogechukwu Nwankwoh as Senior Legislative Aide on Schedules and Events.
However, unlike in the past when former Senate President David Mark inherited some staff from Senator Ken Nnamani and Senator Saraki also inheriting staff from Senator Mark, the present appointments have generated serious outcry from the members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress-led government who insisted that the appointees must not be allowed to serve in an APC administration.
The first victim was of the APC’s supporters’ protests was Mr. Festus Adedayo, a columnist that was hitherto appointed by Senator Lawan as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, had to be relieved of his duties even before assuming duties.
