Olu Onemola, a former aide to ex-President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has rejected a new appointment by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Mr Onemola announced in a statement on Sunday that his decision was based on the controversy the appointment had generated.
Several appointments made by Mr Lawan sparked debates among Nigerians loyal to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
They said the appointment of Onemola and Festus Adedayo as Lawan’s spokespersons was done outside the circle of party loyalists.
The dust raised led to the withdrawal of Mr Adedayo’s appointment while Lawan stood his ground on keeping Onemola.
But in the statement on Sunday, Onemola thanked Lawan for the honour, saying he would be willing to give recommendations if called upon.
“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,” Onemola said.
“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.”
