The Senator representing Kogi West District, Dino Melaye, on Thursday described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letters to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as “a misplacement of anger”.
Obasanjo had accused the lawmakers of reckless spending, abuse of office and fixing and earning salaries and allowances far above what the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, approved for them.
He also asked the National Assembly to open its financial books for scrutiny by external auditors.
Reacting to the former president’s letter, Senator Melaye told journalists in Abuja that bribery and corruption was introduced to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly during Mr. Obasanjo’s administration between 1999 and 2007, especially when he sought an amendment to the constitution to allow for tenure elongation aka third term.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT, queried the timing of the letter, wondering if it was not an attempt by the ex-president to cover up and distract attention from the federal government’s plan to re-open investigations into the Halliburton and Siemens corruption allegations.
Melaye said, “I have tremendous respect for President Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo.
“Elder statesman, respected pan Africanist and committed patriot.
“I went through the letter written to all Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
“The letter I can see is a misplacement of anger. Our leader is mistaken the 8th National Assembly as the same Senate Assembly that defrauded him in 2007. I mean those that collected his money and refused to implement the 3rd term agenda.
“I appeal to Baba that we are not the ones please.
“After nine years of that bribery saga, the first of its kind, I expect forgiveness to have taken place”.
