Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has defended the working relationship between the Executive and the National Assembly, insisting that cooperation between both arms of government does not undermine the independence of lawmakers.
Gbajabiamila made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja amid ongoing criticism that the 10th National Assembly has become a “rubber stamp” for the Presidency.
According to him, collaboration between the Executive and Legislature is necessary for effective governance and should not be mistaken for a loss of legislative independence.
“Constructive cooperation does not diminish legislative independence, nor does robust debate amount to institutional conflict. Our democracy is strengthened when both arms engage with mutual respect, constitutional fidelity and a clear focus on results,” he said.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that Nigerians expect government institutions to work together in tackling insecurity, reviving the economy and improving the welfare of citizens.
He said the success of the National Assembly should be judged by the quality of its laws, budget implementation and oversight responsibilities rather than the number of bills passed or motions debated.
Gbajabiamila also urged lawmakers to remain transparent by opening the activities of parliament to greater public scrutiny and ensuring Nigerians understand how laws are made and public funds are allocated.
According to him, the National Assembly Open Week should serve as a platform for dialogue, accountability and stronger public engagement rather than being treated as a ceremonial event.
His comments come as he continues to face allegations linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency has described as non-existent despite receiving a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.
The alleged Director-General of the agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has claimed his appointment letter was signed by Gbajabiamila—an allegation the Chief of Staff has consistently denied.
The Presidency has maintained that the appointment letter was forged and disclosed that Gbajabiamila had earlier reported the matter to security agencies.
Meanwhile, police operatives on Tuesday arrested Adeyemi in Osun State as investigations into the controversy continue.
