Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday lampooned the National Assembly, saying it is largely an assemblage of looters and thieves.
Mr. Obasanjo, who was speaking at the public presentation of the autobiography of Justice Mustapha Akanbi, in Abuja, regretted that every aspect of Nigeria’s national life is riddled with corruption.
However, he said there were a few exceptions and people who stand out and would not succumb to the scourge of sleaze, even in the federal legislature.
In a speech he delivered at the public presentation of “The Story Of My Two Worlds; Challenges, Experiences And Achievements” written by Justice Akanbi, the pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, the former president said the National Assembly, which he said is shrouding its corruption in the opaque nature of its budget, has damaged its capacity to oversight the executive.
He accused the President Goodluck Jonathan-led executive of making direct payments to the legislature in order to cover up its wrong doings.
“Apart from shrouding the remunerations of the National Assembly in opaqueness and without transparency, they indulge in extorting money from departments, contractors and ministries in two ways,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
“They do so during visits to their projects and programmes and in the process of budget approval when they build up budgets for ministries and departments, who agree to give it back to them in contracts that they do not execute. They do similar things during their inquiries.”
Mr. Obasanjo said the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has upped Nigeria’s corruption level through the huge sums of money it has been paying to the National Assembly to stop investigating its corrupt acts.
He said, “Corruption in the National Assembly also includes what they call constituency projects which they give to their agents to execute but invariably, full payment is made with little or no job done.
“In all this, if the executive is not absolutely above board, the offending members of the National Assembly resort to subtle or open threat, intimidation and blackmail. When the executive pay the huge money, normally in millions of dollars, all is quiet in form of whitewashed reports that fail to deal effectively with the issues investigated.”
The former president insisted that over the years, the National Assembly never singled out any corrupt lawmaker except where the executive led in the indictment of a member.
He listed some of the cases where the executive led in exposing corruption in the National Assembly to include those of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara.
He maintained that majority of the members of the National Assembly live above the law in both misconduct and corruption and cannot in good conscience carry out oversight duties on any government ministry or department.
Mr. Obasanjo, however, noted that there are still some honourable and distinguished men and women in the National Assembly, who would not do anything to soil their hands.
He said with a largely corrupt legislature, Nigeria is doomed.
“When the guard is the thief, only God can keep the house safe and secure,” he said. “But I am optimistic that sooner than later, we will overcome.
“God will give us guards of integrity and honesty with the fear of God and genuine love of their people and their country.
“Today, there is no institution of government that is not riddled with corruption, not even the military. As the people cry out, where then is the salvation.”
The former president also drew attention to the growing level of youth unemployment in the country, warning that unless urgent steps are taken to address the situation, the country could implode.
Mr Obasanjo provided figures suggesting that out of the country’s estimated 178.5 million population, 70 per cent are below 30 years, with 54 per cent being unemployed.
“I have no doubt in my mind that youth unemployment, youth dissatisfaction and youth frustration were part of the causes of the so-called Arab Spring from which Libya and Egypt have not yet fully come out and which caused insecurity and instability in the whole of the Arab world.
“We must learn the right lessons and put in place, programmes that will address youth empowerment and youth employment, youth discontent and youth dissatisfaction and youth frustration to avoid youth anger and explosion generated there from,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
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Pastor OBJ, the sermon could not be sweeter than it is today if it were delivered to you by orji kalu, T.Y. Danjuma, Atiku,Gbenga Daniel etc OBJ, yesterday you were on the rock, and today you are on the pulpit, that is how transient power could be, you can never fool us again. let GEJ be.
ReplyDeleteWhen you started your comment l thought that really you are not a fool but to the end, l honestly doubt that Jonathan should be that's careless talk.
DeleteThanks baba for the whole truth
ReplyDeleteI wish we leave out sentiment for the progress of our country.
ReplyDeleteIs it not foolishness comparing GEJ administration with our past leaders? Is it not shameful if the presidency giving the present government highest pass marks over previous ones?
History will judge both the President and his cronies.
Sometimes, u see the house better in shapes and other form when u are looking from the outside but unfortunately u may not b able to mend it. To me, both APC, PDP, and d rest parties are only fighting for their selfish intrest. Non of them have good plans for us especially the youth. But now that Obj is talking about everything, I wonder what's going on. God bless Nigerians and Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteWell for me, OBJ has a past, he might had made some mistakes or was once probably corrupt but here is a changed man or here is still someone who has the boldness to retrace his steps and criticise what's wrong. We have so many past corrupt leaders that are alive yet they are un willing to change or retrace their steps cz the poverty and restlessness does not affect them also mind you this does not affect OBJ too cz he had looted all he can but here is a man maybe regretting what he has done and willingly wants to make a contribution to me its never too late therefore if our other corrupt past leaders still love this country called Nigeria this is the time to step out and speak.
ReplyDeleteIf Gadaffi had retraced his steps on time maybe the crises in Libya would had been averted so let's give it to OBJ for speaking out or do we want to say all is well? Or are we having it good? The answer is NO!
JJ
Good for OBJ to let us know that there is high level of corruption in the country, but let him remeber that had it been he did what ought to have done, we will not be where we are today. He cannot exonerate himself from from the so- called corruption. God help us.
ReplyDeleteAll these are complete rubbish coming from OBJ. OBJ himself encourage the corruption he mentioned here during his tenure. First remove the logs on your eyes so that you can see clearly to remove the speck on your brother's eye. This is a call for all NIGERIAN YOUTHS IN EVERY STATE TO MARCH TO EACH OF ITS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY TO ASK FOR A DISSOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AFTER GEJ IMPEACHMENT. Let us create the scenario we had in the Arab World till all the members of the House vacate their sit. The president should not be the only one to leave.
ReplyDeleteMay God help Nigria from evil leaders' amen
ReplyDeletehello jj,to a certain point i agree wt u concerning our new pst,obj but,if obj tinks he is a changed man,i urged him to return all d monies he stole while in office to d FG and he shld also trace and collect d one he used in bribing legislators during his tenure...Ov from crs.
ReplyDeleteLet Fela Anikulapo Kuti rise from the dead and judge between Obasanjo and these men he is now accusing especially President Jonathan. Arrangee masters ooooooooooo! He should also explain to Nigerians who the unknown soldiers were.Ci kena! Also, the issue of ITT and Nigeria missing money in foreign account in he 70s and early 80s. What of billion sank into NEPA and re branding of Nigeria? What about money Sank in the Federal roads which never became motor-able during his tenure as president. Ore Benin express road is a clear example. So who is deceiving who?
ReplyDeleteEveryone talks about how faithful and loyal he/she is, so OBJ we know where you are heading to.
ReplyDeleteIts only wen naija politicians are out that office that they will become innocent and begin serious criticism......very soon, everyone will meet Papa God.
ReplyDeleteObj stop inciting the youths indirectly. we know where you are going to. corruption in Govt was introdued by you and your cronies. where did yu get the money you used in builing your library and other thing you acquired? pls we are not fools. if the Govt is not favouring you today must you incite people against the Govt? When you ordered the killing of odi people did any body incite the youths against you or didnt you know that was an impeachable offence. Obj as an elder you claim to be i expect you to preach peace in the present situation and not war afterall you have benefited so much from this country than the youths you want to gfo and die.The other day you prayed for 10 more years but some of us are praying for 60-70 more years so pls do not incite us to go fight and die young. Alex
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity to hear this from OBJ. He was the one who was distributing money in Ghana must go bag seeking third term as a President. During his tenure, he was the president and petroleum minister.
ReplyDeleteNow here he is preaching to us about corruption in the National Assembly