President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday warned Ministers and Chief Executive Officers of federal government agencies to desist from disrespecting members of the National Assembly.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in a statement that Buhari gave the warning at a session with leaders of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.
The president had met behind closed door with the Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, at the State House.
There has been rash of walk out on proceedings in the National Assembly with Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, walking out on Committees of the nation’s legislature. Already, the Senate Committee probing the NNDC has declared Professor Pondei wanted.
Malam Shehu said the meeting between the President and National Assembly leadership, which lasted for almost an hour, centered on a range of key national issues.
He disclosed that the meeting deliberated on the role of the legislature in fostering national goals and improving the lives of the people.
”In the course of their conversation, recent events at the National Assembly were highlighted and the president re-emphasised his utmost respect for the National Assembly.”
Shehu quoted the president to have warned against disrespect to NASS by any member of the executive arm, saying that such action would not be accepted.
”Ministers and all heads of departments and agencies should at all times conduct themselves in ways that will not undermine the National Assembly as an institution, its leadership and members.”
”The president and the leaders of the National Assembly recognised and acknowledged that the executive and legislative arms of government are essential partners in the fulfillment of their mutually aligned goal of improving the lives of the Nigerian people.”