Trouble For Appointees, As Buhari Vows To Punish Those Who Disrespect NASS | The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal with his appointees who henceforth disrespect members of the National Assembly. He said they would be severely punished.

This was conveyed in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who said that Buhari gave the warning at a session with leaders of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday

The President had met behind closed doors with the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Presidential Aide said the meeting, which lasted for almost an hour, centered on a range of key national issues.

He disclosed that the meeting deliberated on the role of the legislature in fostering national goals and improving the lives of the people.

”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.”

Shehu quoted the Oresident to have warned against disrespect for NASS by any member of the executive arm, saying that such action would 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.”

”The president and the leaders of the National Assembly recognised and acknowledged that the executive and legislative arms of government are essential partners in the fulfillment of their mutually aligned goal of improving the lives of the Nigerian people.”

A couple of days ago, the Minister of State, Labour, Festus Keyamo, had a confrontation with the Senate over the recruitment of 774,000 youths, as ordered by President Buhari.

They had clashed over who was in a better position to carry out the exercise – the Minister, or the DG, NDE.

The Senate had preferred  the NDE, but the Minister disagreed, accusing the Senators of wanting to hijack the process.

He was walked out of the Senate for refusing to hold a closed door meeting with them.

The Senate had, subsequently, suspended the recruitment exercise.

But, a couple of days ago, Buhari had asked Minister Keyamo to continue with the exercise.

This development may have triggered the President’s meeting with the NASS Leadership.

On Thursday, the  M.D. of the NDDC Interim Management Board, walked out, with the members, on the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the NDDC.