In a move believed to be a fence mending gesture, President Muhammadu Buhari has told his appointees to respect the National Assembly.
This is coming as some ministers, government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have shown what many term as disrespect for the national assembly.
Buhari made the warning hours after the management staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) walked out on a House of Representatives panel.
The minister of state for labour, Festus Keyamo had last week had a hot session with the committee on labour of the assembly.
At a meeting with Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the president acknowledged the role of the legislature towards nation building.
A statement by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, quoted the president as emphasising “his utmost respect for the national assembly”.
According to Shehu, Buhari said “any disrespect to the institution by any member of the executive branch will 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 recognized 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.”
On Thursday, the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Kemebradikumo Pondei, at a House of Representatives hearing and other management staff, walked out on the committee investigating the commission after insisting that the panel chairman cannot preside over the meeting.
Pondei said Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the chairman, had been accused in the alleged fraud at the NDDC and so, cannot sit over the same matter in which he is an accused.
