The Presidency has deplored increasing complaints that ministers, heads of parastatals and agencies are refusing to honour invitations to appear before committees of the National Assembly, a development likely to pitch the legislature against the executive.
It has, accordingly, advised all ministers and heads of agencies to see appearances before the committees as constitutional duties they could not ignore.
The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, gave the Presidency’s position on the matter, when he addressed Senate correspondents, in Abuja, on Monday.
He said: “The office has noted some concerns that some agencies may not have consistently adhered to Senate invitations or requests for appearances before committees.
“While we acknowledge that competing official engagements may sometimes make it challenging for agencies to respond promptly to Senate invitations, it remains essential that these opportunities for engagement are prioritised to demonstrate our continued collective commitment to accountability and good governance.
“Engaging with Senate committees is an important opportunity for agencies to showcase their dedication to public service and accountability, while further reinforcing the people’s confidence in government.”
Lado further stated that such appearances were a provision of the 1999 Constitution, meaning that all officials have a duty to comply.
He added: “The Office of the Special Adviser to the President respectfully appeals to all government agencies to continue to honor their commitment by responding to invitations from Senate committees.
“This aligns not only with constitutional obligations but with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a government that is responsive, effective, and fully accountable to the Nigerian people.”
Only last week, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo -South), reported to the Senate the frustration of his committee in its efforts to get some ministers and heads of agencies to respond to issues affecting their offices.
In a request he brought before the Senate, Lado specifically sought warrants of arrest to compel some top officials to honour the committee’s invitations.
The officials the committee listed were the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.
Also named were the Chief Executive Officers of Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC); and Sally Best Properties Limited.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while deciding on the request, brought under matters of privilege, stated: “You already have the power as provided for by Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Please, use it by issuing warrants of arrest against any head of agencies refusing to appear before the Public Petitions Committee.
“Appearances of the invited people before the committee are very important for justice and fairness on issues raised against them in the petitions before the Senate through the public petitions committee.”
Lado, who called for collaboration between the legislature and the executive in order to achieve President Tinubu’s vision of “delivering rapid and transformative benefits to all Nigerians,” promised that his office would continue to facilitate a harmonious relationship between the two arms.
He added: “The Office of the Special Adviser on Senate Matters remains dedicated to supporting this process and facilitating open channels of communication between agencies and the National Assembly, to ensure that all contribute meaningfully to our shared mission of national development.”
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