I Rejected Obasanjo’s Third Term N50m Bribe – Senator Na’Allah

I Rejected Obasanjo’s Third Term N50m Bribe – Senator Na’Allah

Following Monday’s comment by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that members of Nigeria’s National Assembly are rogues and armed robbers, Bala Na’Allah, deputy leader of the senate, on Tuesday retorted that he rejected a N50m bribe from Obasanjo during the former president’s failed bid to extend his tenure in 2007 for a third term.

Obasanjo who was speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja repeated an accusation he first made in 2012, insinuating that Nigerian legislators are rogues.

But in a statement on Tuesday, Na’Allah who is the senator representing Kebbi south said Obasanjo’s comment was reckless,  the Cable reports.

“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.”

He added that the implication of the former president’s statement is that 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. ” he said.