Regular Summons Could Detract From My Selected Officials - Tinubu Cautions National Assembly

 

President Bola Tinubu has urged National Assembly members to use caution when calling ministers, departments, and agency heads before parliamentary committees.

Speaking on Wednesday at the House leadership's celebration of the end of Ramadan in Abuja alongside Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the President stated that while oversight is crucial to upholding accountability and transparency in government, calling in too many officials at once can cause problems and impede the provision of services to the public.


As a result, he asked parliamentarians to use caution when carrying out their oversight duties.

I've been observing as different committees have called in ministers and agency leaders. To let the poor people breathe, I have complained to the Speaker. Let these folks do the work.

We're not arguing that you lack influence. We are not implying that you can't correct your error. But think about what each agency's main job to you and the country as a whole is, as well as the duties of its staff and the Governor of the Central Bank, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Minister of Finance.

If they become sidetracked or uneasy, we might have to move the parliamentary session throughout the night. We need to figure out how to make room for one another. I'm making a request of you. In certain cases, see if you can accept representatives or even documentation," the President remarked.

President Tinubu praised the friendly connection that currently exists between the government and the legislature, expressing confidence in the National Assembly's ability to maintain good governance.

He claimed that the cordial working relationship had produced the swift approval of numerous measures aimed at enhancing Nigerians' quality of life.

He called on lawmakers to keep their constituents in mind and to use the holy month of Ramadan to be empathetic and helpful to those who are less fortunate.

"We are promising citizens that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel and we are making sacrifices for the country."

"We need to maintain our faith, and please remember your constituents and their struggles.

"You have my sincere gratitude for what you are doing for our nation. This is not a personal matter. The President declared, "It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria."

During his speech, the Speaker stressed the value of kindness, forgiveness, and praying during Ramadan and urged support for President Tinubu and national unity. "I want to urge us to use this month to increase our good deeds and minimize our bad deeds," he said. 

Looking back on the first ten months of this administration, the Speaker remarked that the legislature and the executive branch had continued to collaborate for the advancement of the nation. 

"So far, so good," the Speaker said, noting that the House had been very supportive of the President and his policies.