Do Not Disrespect The National Assembly, Buhari Warns Appointees

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned every member of his cabinet as well as heads of departments and agencies that he will no tolerate any form of disregard to the National Assembly. 

The meeting had in attendance, President Buhari, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila. 

The President in a strong worded statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, after meeting with both leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives respectively urged appointees to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. 

Shehu explained that the President during the meeting had asked ministers and all heads of departments and agencies to, at all times, conduct themselves in ways that will not undermine the National Assembly as an institution, its leadership and members.

The statement read, “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, adding that 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.”

In recent times Buhari’s Appointees have been engaged in a face-off with the National Assembly, most recent of them was the Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei who walked out on lawmakers at an investigative hearing at the House of Representatives.

He said the Commission cannot partake in an investigative hearing which is being presided over by the chairman of the committee who has been accused by the NDDC of hijacking the Commission’s projects, alleging that he was sure not to get a fair hearing.