The National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF), has formally denounced and dissociated itself from a group identifying as the APC National Assembly Legislative Aides Support Group (ANALAG) describing its formation and operations as misleading, unauthorized, and potentially destabilizing.
A statement, issued in Abuja on Thursday, and jointly signed by High Chief Barr.Emeka Nwala, Chairman of NASSLAF and Umar Grema Abdallah, Secretary of the Forum, clarified that while legislative aides are free to associate for legitimate purposes, no individual or group is permitted to adopt or operate under a name that suggests official representation of National Assembly legislative aides without the approval of the recognized body overseeing their affairs.
According to NASSLAF, the deliberate use of the title “National Assembly Legislative Aides” by a small group pursuing vested interests without consultation or clearance from the Forum’s Executive Committee and general membership is misleading and unlawful.
The Forum emphasized that legislative aides within the National Assembly are drawn from diverse political backgrounds and traditionally operate beyond partisan affiliations, a structure it said has been instrumental to unity and the advancement of members’ welfare.
NASSLAF warned that the creation of politically aligned groups within the ranks of legislative aides could fragment the Forum, undermine cohesion, and threaten peace within the National Assembly environment.
It added that the introduction of partisan political activities among aides sets a dangerous precedent capable of disrupting the solemnity and neutrality of the legislative chambers.
On this basis, the Forum announced its complete dissociation from the group and urged its members and the general public to disregard its activities, noting that the decision was taken in the overall interest of NASSLAF and the National Assembly to prevent over-politicization of the institution.
Despite the development, NASSLAF reaffirmed its support for the leadership of the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, commending the administration for implementing the new minimum wage, paying arrears of salary adjustments, the 28-day wage award, and other approved allowances to legislative aides.
