According to the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Speaker, Yakubu Dogara has a lot to hide and much to fear over the budget padding scandal.
Jibrin also criticized Dogara for saying budget padding is not a crime when that was the reason he gave for removing him from the position of chairman.
The lawmaker made the comments via a statement released on Tuesday, August 9, 2016.
The statement reads:
“The only reason why they wanted me out is my independent-mindedness, resistance to corruption and my refusal to ‘play ball’ on the gross abuse of office they institutionalised in the house.”
“They simply want to have someone that can do their corrupt bidding. Now that I have exposed the fact that speaker Dogara and the three others are the padders, padding is no longer an offence, Shame! Shame!! and shame!!!.
“Let me also state that contrary to some myopic opinion that it would affect the institution of the house, it will rather free the institution of the grip of these corrupt vested interests, restore its integrity and shape it to become a pride to Nigerians home and abroad.
“While speaker Dogara and the other 12 corrupt members are running from pillar to post trying to redefine padding, avoid the anti-corruption agencies, looking for cover or soft landing, I have held several meetings with the agencies, provided useful documents and vital information. They obviously have so much to hide, so much to fear.”
Dogara said earlier that he won’t vacate his office because budget padding is not a crime.
Jibrin has accused the Speaker and other senior members of the House of smuggling N284 billion into the 2016 budget.
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