Recall that the Chief of Staff reportedly visited key government establishments recently including the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) , the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASEI).
Others included the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) , the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).
Controversy has since trailed the former Speaker of the House of Representatives tour of Federal Government agencies, with a section of the media accusing the Chief of Staff of hijacking the oversight duty of the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, a Director at NEMA who spoke with our correspondent has praised Gbajabiamila for sparing time to visit the agency.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said, “I think the Chief of Staff should be applauded for taking out time to be here. We are all working for the the progress of Nigeria.
“If his coming to see us will make us do better, we should commend him. I really don’t understand the energy being wasted to discuss an unimportant issue. Does the Chief of Staff visit stopped the National Assembly from doing their oversight?”, he asked.
Similarly, a top official of NAHCON backed Gbajabiamila for the visit adding that it was an opportunity for the commission to interact with the former Speaker.
“Everyone was excited at his visit. As a commission, a lot of things have been said about us particularly in connection with the last Hajj exercise. So, to have a top government functionary around for a brief interface was in order,” the official told our correspondent in confidence.
In yet another devepment, a senior management staff at NASEI, has called for legislative and the executive arms of government to work together in the pursuit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Speaking anonymously with this medium because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the parastatal, the staff member warned against the diberate attempt to pitch the executive against the legislative arm of government.
“What I deduced from the report I read is a ploy to set one arm of government against the other. How does the visit of the Chief of Staff translate to an oversight function? I will advise both the Senate and House of Representatives to remain focus and diligent in their duty to the nation.
“No development is possible in an atmosphere of hostility,” he stressed.