By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, has warned civil servants that they are to desist from participating in partisan politics as stated in the Public Service Rules (PSR).
This was contained in a circular signed by the Head of Service, dated 5th May, 2022, marked HCSF/479/II/19, with the title, “Clarification on the provisions of Public Service Rules viś-à-vis the Supreme Court judgement as it relates to civil servants in partisan politics.”
The circular said: “It has become necessary to draw the attention of all civil servants to the legal opinion of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF&MJ) on this matter.
“In his letter, Ref. Number SGF/PS/HCSF/210/II, dated 26th November 2018, HAGF&MJ asserted, inter alia, that ‘neither the 1999 Constitution nor the Supreme Court has authorised civil servants to engage in partisan politics.
‘The provisions of rules 030422 and 030423 of the Public Service Rules (2008 edition) were not nullified by the Supreme Court, hence, they remain in force and binding on all civil servants seeking to participate in nomination exercises or party primaries.'”
Rule 030422 of the Public Service Rules states:
“No officer shall, without express permission of the government, whether on duty or leave of absence:
“(b) offer himself/herself or nominate anyone else as a candidate for
any elective public office including membership of a Local Government
Council, State or National Assembly.
“(c) indicate publicly his support of or opposition to any party, candidate or policy;
“(d) engage in canvassing in support of political candidates.
Rule 030423 of the Public Service Rules states:
“Resignation is necessary before seeking elective public office. Howbeit, any officer wishing to engage in partisan political activities or seek elective public office shall resign his/her appointment
forthwith.
She noted that the HAGF&MJ concluded that the rules should be enforced as the Supreme Court, in the case of Musa versus INEC, did not set them aside, and must be complied with.
“Accordingly, in the overall best interest of neutrality, harmony, integrity and development of Nigerian Civil Service, all civil servants are strongly advised to be guided by the provisions of PSR and the legal opinion of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on the subject,” the Head of Service added.