How Obasanjo tried to bribe me with N50m for his ‘third term’ bid – Senator
Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah has joined the league of lawmakers who have lashed out at former President Olusegun Obsanjo for accusing the National Assemble members of corruption and advising President Muhammadu Buhari to be vigilant just so the lawmakers do not bring him to disrepute. Senate Na’ Allah took a swipe at Obasanjo Tuesday, saying the ex-ruler introduced corruption into the National Assembly.
He painted a picture of how he rejected N50million ‘third term’ bribe Obasanjo had allegedly brought to the National Assembly in 2007 to get lawmakers to endorse his attempt to extend his tenure in office in what later turned out a fiasco.
His statement read: “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 50 million naira as an inducement to subvert the constitution and provide a constitutional framework for the third term ambition of president Obasanjo.
“I am not corrupt and I have integrity. My attention has been drawn to a purported statement attributed to former president Olusegun Obasanjo in which it was alleged that he made a sweeping statement to the effect that there are no men of integrity in the National Assembly.
“I am respectfully taking exception to the statement which I express the hope is not true. To start with it is not in my character to join issues with elder statement who have 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 promised to vacate my seat as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“I find this statement if it is true to be reckless and terrifying. The implication 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 commonsense and reason.”