ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Senate, yesterday, bowed to pressure and allocated a new office space to Mohammed Ali Ndume, the immediate-past Chief Whip of the upper legislative chamber, following his earlier rejection of an office space on the third floor of the Senate building.
In a letter addressed to Ndume informing him of his new office located on the fourth floor, Chairman of the Committee on Senate Services, Sunday Karimi, said the new update overrides the earlier one.
The letter signed by Siyaka Abdulwahab Sadiq, Clerk of the Committee on behalf of Karimi, read: “I am pleased to inform you that the Chairman, Committee on Senate Services has approved the allocation of office number 4.31 (4th floor), New Wing, Senate Building to you.
“Please note that this letter supersedes the earlier one issued to you dated July 29, 2024. Kindly liaise with the Secretary, Estate and Works Directorate, situated at office number 0.28, New Wing, Senate Building to undertake the necessary documentation and submission/collection of keys.”
Ndume, on Tuesday, rejected the new office allocated to him by the Committee on Senate Services. The former Senate Chief Whip in a letter to the committee, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday, said he would only occupy an office on the fourth floor being a very ranking senator.
The letter dated July 30, 2024, and signed by his Chief Confidential Secretary, Shuaibu Gawu, explained that offices are traditionally allocated based on seniority.
Part of the letter, addressed to the Chairman, Senate Services Committee, and titled, ‘Re: Office Allocation’ read: “I am directed to inform you that, Distinguished Senator Mohammed All Ndume, has rejected the allocation of office number 3.10 by the Committee.
“This is because offices are traditionally allocated on a seniority basis. Senator Ndume is the most senior senator after Sen Ahmad Lawan and will only occupy an office on the fourth floor.”
Efforts to speak with Ndume on the matter on Tuesday did not succeed because the Senator, who was said to be attending an ECOWAS Parliament session in Ghana, could not be reached on phone.
However, a ranking senator who is a current principal officer told newsmen that Ndume actually deserves an office on the fourth floor.
The Senator, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said: “Ndume is a ranking senator. He deserves to be on the fourth floor just like the former senate president, Ahmad Lawan.”
