Tinubu made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Appeals To National Assembly: It Is Within Your Rights To Summon Heads Of MDAs, But Let Them Do Their Job’.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to allow heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to do their statutory duties by reducing the summons issued to them.
Tinubu made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Appeals To National Assembly: It Is Within Your Rights To Summon Heads Of MDAs, But Let Them Do Their Job’.
According to the statement, Tinubu appealed while speaking at the breaking of the Ramadan fast last night in Abuja alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House.
Tinubu stated that while oversight is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in governance, excessive summons of officials can disrupt operations and impede service delivery to citizens.
He asked lawmakers to exhibit caution in their oversight roles.
Tinubu said, “I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying that you are not influential.
“We are not saying you cannot do your oversight. But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation.
“If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you. See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentation.”
Tinubu expressed confidence in the National Assembly's ability to sustain good governance and praised the executive and legislative branches' current amicable relationship.
He claimed that the good working relationship had resulted in the swift passage of various measures aimed at improving Nigerians' well-being.
He advised lawmakers not to forget about their constituents and to use the holy month of Ramadan to express compassion and support for the less fortunate in society.
He added: “We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
“We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through.”
“I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria,” the President added.