Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government does not diminish the independence of the National Assembly.

Gbajabiamila stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, amid criticism that the 10th National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has been too aligned with the executive.

According to him, constructive engagement between both arms of government should not be mistaken for weakness, compromise or lack of 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.

Gbajabiamila said the executive and legislature are separate arms of government, but share a common responsibility to improve the lives of Nigerians.

He noted that Nigerians expect public institutions to work together in addressing national challenges, including insecurity, economic recovery, social justice and shared prosperity.

“Nigerians expect their institutions to work together,” he said.

The Chief of Staff added that the performance of the 10th National Assembly should not be judged merely by the volume of motions, bills or activities, but by the real impact of its legislation, budgets and oversight functions on citizens.

He said the presidency remains committed to a productive relationship with the National Assembly, stressing that collaboration between both arms is necessary for effective governance.

Gbajabiamila also urged the National Assembly to use the Open Week as an opportunity to strengthen public trust, deepen accountability and allow citizens to better understand legislative processes.

He said the event should go beyond ceremony and become a platform for scrutiny, dialogue and partnership between parliament and the people.

“An open week must therefore be more than the ceremonial opening of the gates of parliament. It should be an invitation to scrutiny, dialogue and partnership,” he said.

Gbajabiamila’s comments come at a time when he is also linked to the controversy surrounding the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, an alleged fake agency said to have received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.

Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of operating the disputed agency, had claimed that his appointment letter was issued by the Chief of Staff.

Gbajabiamila has denied the allegation, while the Presidency maintained that the appointment letter bearing his signature was forged.

The Chief of Staff had earlier petitioned security agencies over the matter.

On Tuesday, operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team arrested Adeyemi in Osun State, hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment in a case bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Adeyemi has not been convicted of the allegations.

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