National Assembly replies Obasanjo, says former President is “grandfather of corruption”
Members of the National Assembly have clapped back at former President Obasanjo after he called them “unarmed robbers.”
Obasanjo during a recent speech had taken the lawmakers to the cleaners, but they have lashed back at the elder statesman, in turn calling him the “grandfather of corruption.”
They accused the political stalwart of being bitter and power-thirsty, citing his thwarted 3rd-term ambition and constant criticisms directed at rival administrations as examples.
“It is unfortunate that he has started his very familiar method of bringing down governments. He did it to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, he did it to Gen. Buhari, he did same to Gen. Babangida, he attempted to bring down Gen. Abacha before he imprisoned him for treason; he made frantic efforts to derail the government of President Ya’ardua when he couldn’t use him,” House spokesman, Mr. Abdulrazak Namdas said at a press briefing.
“He supported President Goodluck Jonathan but when he refused to take dictation, he turned against him. He supported President Buhari, but since he has sensed that Nigeria is having economic difficulties under him, he has pounced to derail his government.
“The way Chief Obasanjo talks gives the impression that he is a lifetime opposition leader who has never held any office. What did he do about the issues he raised in his 8 years as President?
Namdas denied Obasanjo’s allegations that the lawmakers shamefully “padded” the budget, and accused the former PDP leader of sheepishly following suspended lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin’s “false” claims.
“We have repeatedly maintained that there was no “padding” of the 2016 Appropriation Act, which is a legitimate document passed by the National Assembly, authenticated by the Clerk to the National Assembly as provided in the Acts Authentication Act and assented to by Mr. President.
“It is most unfortunate that a former President of Chief Obasanjo’s stature would allow himself to be hoodwinked and procured by a renegade member of the House, who embarked on massive propaganda and lies just because he was removed from office.”
Namdas further accused Obasanjo of being the pioneer of corruption in the country, saying he (Obasanjo) first introduced corruption in 1999 when he repeatedly bribed legislators to have his way on every issue.
“Undoubtedly, former President Obasanjo is understandably angry with the National Assembly as an institution, having foiled his ambition for a third term in office even after trying to corrupt the members with a bribe of at least N50m each.
“Lest we forget, the person who introduced corruption to the National Assembly is Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He birthed the 4th Republic National Assembly with corrupt practices from day one; indeed the first day of the Republic.
“He bribed the PDP, ANPP and AD legislators on their inauguration in 1999 to vote against the majority candidate of the PDP, (the late) Dr. Chuba Okadigbo. That was how Senator Evan Enwerem became the Senate President.
“Have we forgotten the sacks of money displayed on the floor of the House of Representatives, being bribe money paid by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to some honourable members to impeach the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Ghali N’abba?
“Have we forgotten that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo used his position as President to extort businessmen and contractors to build his presidential library?
“The list of his corrupt acts while in office is endless. Unquestionably, he is the greatest corrupt person ever to hold office in Nigeria. He remains the grandfather of corruption in Nigeria and lacks the moral authority to discuss corruption or abuse of office in Nigeria as he remains the most corrupt Nigerian on record,” he said.
