Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has reiterated that Chris Najomo, the present acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), will remain in office until President Bola Tinubu decides otherwise.
Keyamo informed pressmen about this on Monday.
On December 13, 2023, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development announced the suspension of Musa Nuhu, the agency’s former DG, for alleged fraudulent practices as well as Najomo’s appointment as acting DG.
Meanwhile, Section 7 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules on Acting Appointment states that an official appointed in an acting capacity may not serve for more than 12 months.
The 020704(a) of Section 7 of the Federal Government Civil Service Rules also stated that recommendations for such an appointee in acting capacity must be forwarded to the Federal Civil Service Commission Form 66, along with a certificate stating that the acting officer will assume the full duties and responsibilities of the post.
According to the law, Najomo was supposed to leave the agency’s top office four days ago, but the minister stated that the interpretation of the law means the acting DG will continue to serve until the President says otherwise.
He stated that the legislation does not allow for a hoover.
Keyamo stated, “His tenure has not expired because the President did not designate him in an acting role for a set amount of time. Only Mr President can determine his tenure since he will continue to act unless Mr President says otherwise. That is the proper reading of the law. We must await Mr. President’s decision on the topic. “If there is no indication from Mr. President, he continues to act since the law does not permit a vacuum.”
However, industry expert John Ojikutu blamed both the Presidency and the National Assembly for generating complications, stating that there was no justification for Najomo to remain in acting capacity for more than a year.
According to Ojikutu, if the matter is not addressed soon, it could lead to institutional corruption.
He stated, “Today is December 16, and the Ag DG appointment has expired. What’s going on again between the ministry, NASS, and the presidency? Is this not an exploitation or abuse of statutory laws, or a path to institutional corruption? Are they telling us we can’t ask them questions? Is the NCAA the only aviation agency? Every other agency has substantial heads. The NASS should tell us what is happening right now.”
