The Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD) has criticized the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, for retaining Alhaji Kareem Nasiru Mosadi as Deputy Clerk despite his official retirement on July 16, 2025.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Coordinator for Special Duties, Olayemi Abdulrazaq, ENetSuD described the decision as “another round of illegality,” comparing it to the earlier extension granted to the former Clerk of the House, Hajia Jummai Kperogi, after her retirement.
“It is disappointing that the Speaker did not learn any lesson from the legal battles he witnessed (and still ongoing) when he illegally appointed Hajia Kperogi to continue as Clerk after her retirement,” the statement read.
The group argued that the six-month extension granted to Mosadi lacked justification, noting that several qualified officers within the Assembly could occupy the position. It named three potential candidates:
- Mistura Oluwayemisi Lawal, an economist and Director of Budget Planning, Research, and Statistics, currently on Grade Level 16 and due for promotion to Level 17 in January 2026.
- Adeosun Isaac Olubunmi, a Deputy Director from Oke-Ero Local Government Area on Grade Level 16, expected to retire in July 2026.
- Abdulsalam Kudirat Ayodeji, also a Deputy Director, due for retirement in December 2025.
ENetSuD said the Speaker’s alleged interference undermines due process and weakens succession planning within the legislature. It added that Lawal’s seniority and time left in service made her a suitable successor to the current Clerk, Alhaji Kareem Ahmed Olayiwola, who is expected to retire in June 2026.
The group also expressed concern that the House of Assembly has operated without a Service Commission for more than two years, following the expiration of the tenure of the previous commission chaired by Hajia Femi Yusuf.
“We are calling on the Speaker to do the right thing. The fate of this illegal appointment may end up the same way as that of Hajia Jummai Kperogi if necessary corrections are not made immediately,” ENetSuD warned.
Responding, the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. AbdulKadir Yusuf, dismissed the allegations, stating that administrative decisions concerning the Clerk and Deputy Clerk are the responsibility of the Kwara State House of Assembly Service Commission, not the Speaker’s office.
“The Speaker has no role in such administrative matters,” Yusuf said. “He is a political leader, not an appointing authority.”
