By Achile Danjuma
The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Ishaq Hussaini Magaji, has moved to de-escalate tensions with the legislature, pledging his full cooperation with the National Assembly just days after a Senate committee called for his dismissal over allegations of legislative defiance.
In an official statement released on Thursday, Magaji responded to the pressure by reaffirming his respect for the parliamentary body. He emphasized his dedication to upholding its constitutional oversight functions while maintaining a collaborative working relationship.
“I hold the National Assembly in the highest esteem,” Magaji stated. “I will continue to respect and uphold its constitutional oversight function and remain committed to working with our lawmakers in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.”
The statement serves as a direct response to the Senate Committee on Finance, which, during a recent budget defence session, formally recommended that President Bola Tinubu remove Magaji from office. The committee accused him of repeatedly snubbing legislative invitations, an act it argued undermines the principles of accountability and oversight.
The motion to recommend his removal was moved by Senator Orji Kalu (Abia North), who drew a contrast between Magaji’s absence and the compliance of other top officials. “This man is not coming to the Senate; he is not above the law,” Kalu argued on the floor. “The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget are here [appearing before us]; he has no excuse.”
While the Senate asserts its authority to summon agency heads, Magaji’s response seeks to strike a balance between respecting that power and preserving the operational independence of his office. He called for continued dialogue between the CAC and the National Assembly to ensure statutory mandates are effectively implemented without friction.
Political observers note that the standoff highlights the often-delicate dynamic between legislative oversight bodies and executive-controlled statutory agencies. The outcome, they suggest, could set a precedent for how such institutions navigate accountability demands while safeguarding their administrative autonomy.