President Bola Tinubu has urged members of the National Assembly to exercise restraint when summoning heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) before parliamentary committees.
In a statement issued on wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Appeals To National Assembly: It Is Within Your Rights To Summon Heads Of MDAs, But Let Them Do Their Job’.
partly reads; “I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job,” Tinubu said. “We are not saying you cannot do your oversight. But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation.”
Acknowledging the necessity of oversight for transparency and accountability, Tinubu cautioned against excessive summoning, which could disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens. He urged lawmakers to exercise discretion and find a balance between oversight and allowing MDAs to function efficiently.
Expressing confidence in the National Assembly’s ability to uphold good governance, Tinubu applauded the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature. He noted the expeditious passage of several bills aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians as a testament to their harmonious working relationship.
“We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through,” Tinubu urged legislators. “I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria.”
