Babatunji Wusu –
- Compliance Directive: Presidency orders all MDAs to respond to Senate invitations.
- Importance of Cooperation: Engagement with the Senate is essential for public service commitment and government credibility.
- Arrest Warrants: Senate plans to issue arrest warrants for agency heads failing to appear before committees.
- Commitment to Transparency: The administration emphasizes timely cooperation between the Executive and Legislature.
- Facilitating Communication: The Office of the Special Adviser on Senate Matters aims to enhance collaboration for national development.
The Presidency has directed the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, along with the heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to comply with invitations from the Senate. This directive underscores the importance of collaboration between government bodies and the National Assembly.
Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, addressed reporters in Abuja on Monday, criticizing certain agencies for their failure to respond to Senate summons. He emphasized that engaging with Senate committees is vital for demonstrating a commitment to public service and for bolstering public confidence in the government.
Lado stated that honoring Senate invitations is not only a constitutional duty but also aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for a responsive, accountable, and effective government. He highlighted that this directive supports Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which aims to deliver rapid and transformative governance to Nigerians.
This announcement follows the Senate’s recent decision to issue warrants of arrest for several agency heads, including Mrs. Walson-Jack, Works Minister David Umahi, and NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for repeatedly failing to appear before the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Additional agency leaders facing potential arrest include those from Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, and Sally Best Properties Limited, based on complaints from Senator Neda Imasuen, the committee’s chairman.
Lado reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency, stressing that timely cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature is essential for achieving the administration’s objectives. He urged all MDAs to prioritize their engagements with the Senate, highlighting that such interactions are opportunities for agencies to demonstrate their commitment to accountability and good governance.
He reaffirmed that the Office of the Special Adviser on Senate Matters is dedicated to facilitating communication between agencies and the National Assembly, ensuring that all government entities contribute effectively to national development.
