Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Na’Allah has slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo over what he described as the elder statesman’s ‘reckless and terrifying’ comment about lawmakers in Nigeria while also revealing his (Obasanjo’s) attempt to bribe him years ago.
Speaking via a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Na’Allah, who represents Kebbi South dismissed the former president’s blanket Monday accusation of lawmakers as corrupt before going on to rubbish Obasanjo’s anti-corruption claims with the revelation of his dirty secret.
According to Na’Allah, Obasanjo offered him N50million to help scuttle constitutional provisions so that the former president could run for a third term, but he rejected the money.
“I am respectfully taking exception to the statement, which I express the hope is not true,” Na’Allah said.
“To start with, it is not in my character to join issues with an elder statesmen who has had the privilege of superintending over the affairs of our great country Nigeria.
“This exception has become necessary in view of the enormity of the alleged statement to my person and integrity.
“If former President Obasanjo can come out with one proven record of corruption against me as a person, I promise to vacate my seat as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“For the records, I was the only member from Kebbi state who did not find it worthy at that time of collecting the sum of N50 million as an inducement to subvert the constitution and provide a constitutional framework for the third term ambition of President Obasanjo.
“I find this statement, if it is true, to be reckless and terrifying.
“The implications of the statement is to say that the entire over 170 million Nigerians have not elected a single person with integrity among the 469 members of the national assembly.
“This is definitely rhapsodic and does not conform to common sense and reason.”
Na’Allah’s words add to reports that Obasanjo allegedly bribed many lawmakers in the failed bid to win a second term at the twilight of his second one in 2003.
No comments:
Post a Comment