The tempest over Senate President, Ahmed Lawan ‘s choice of aides, is yet to calm with Olu Onemola, stepping down from his position, few days after Lawan’s main spokesman, Festus Adedayo, was shoed out of the job in controversial circumstances.
Onemola, stepped down as Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media, where he was reappointed on June 19, after working in the same capacity for Lawan ‘s predecessor, Bukola Saraki.
Adedayo, who was appointed as the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, would have been the official spokesman of Lawan, who emerged in his new role on June 11, but had to be dropped by his principal after a vehement opposition by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari, after accusing the versatile journalist of being an avid attacker of the President in the media.
In an internal memo to Lawan, seen by TheCable on Sunday, Onemola said he would want to be excused “from taking up this national assignment” because of the controversy it has generated.
“As an individual who prides myself in always setting a high standard and significant precedents I feel honoured to have been asked to fill this vital role in the service of our great country,” he said.
“I thank you sir, for the offer to continue on to serve and promote the work of the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic which I am sure is home out of your patriotic desire to serve the Nigerian people.
“However, at this time, given my personal antecedents, and the controversy that 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, builds upon what we have started in terms of opening up the activities of the Nigerian Senate to the public.
“I will be ready and available in whatever way to give my recommendations if and when requested as the new team begins its work.
“I have communicated my decision to the Chief of Staff, Babagana Muhammad Aji, and I wish the new team all the best as they work to meet the demands of the Nigerian people.”
This is coming barely days after the senate president had withdrawn the appointment of Festus Adedayo as his special adviser on media and publicity.
A group known as All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum had accused Lawan of rewarding people who have insulted President Muhammadu Buhari.
Source: The Cable
