Former media aide to ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Olu Onemola, on Sunday rejected his re-appointment to work with the current Senate President, Ahmed Lawan. Lawan’s appointment of Onemola as Special Assistant on New Media had caused some measure of controversy among some All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters.
Earlier, Onemola’s appointment was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by Lawan’s Chief of Staff, Mohammed Babagana Aji.
Supporters of the ruling APC have been attacking Lawan for making his appointments.
The development forced Lawan to reverse the appointment of Festus Adedayo as one of his spokespersons.
However, Onemola has now rejected his appointment, predicating his decision on the ‘controversy’ the appointment had generated.
In a statement he personally signed, Onemola said: “A few days ago, I was asked to continue on in my role as the Special Assistant on New Media to His Excellency, the President of the 9th Senate.
“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.
“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 borne 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.”
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