Bribery-at- NASS: Senate challenges Jega to name names

…I was embarrassed by the comments – Saraki

The Senate has challenged the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to list names of lawmakers found to have solicited for bribe as alleged by him.

This was even as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki expressed disappointment over the comments by the former INEC Chairman, saying that he was embarrassed.

Recall that Jega, a Keynote Speaker at a public lecture marking the 2018 Democracy Day in Nigeria, alleged that “most National Assembly Committees’ chairmen are notorious for seeking bribe”.

Jega added that fighting corruption is made difficult in Nigeria because those who should make laws to strengthen the war on corruption are the ones promoting same, singling out federal lawmakers as major culprits since 1999.

Coming under yorder 43, Matters of Personal Explanations, Senstor Isa Hamman Misau (APC, Bauchi), drew the lawmakers’ attention to the damage Jega’s comment has done to the integrity of the National Assembly as a lawmaking institution.

Misau, who described the statement as “unfortunate” added that Jega’s comment has further tarnished the reputation of the Legislature, especially in the estimation of the Executive and Nigerians.

“My Point of Order is based on the lecture made during the Democracy Day, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was in attendance. During the lecture, the Guest Lecturer who is an elder stateman and the former Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, made a statement which I feel I have to bring to this floor.

“He made mention that some committee chairmen of the National Assembly are notorious for demanding or collecting bribes, which I feel is unfortunate.

“Somebody that is well respected to come and make statement that he was told by some Executive. I feel that statement is very weighty because that programme was televised live.

“The thing they need to understand is that these live programmes are watched around the world. And at the time he made that statement, I am a member of ECOWAS Parliament and after the lecture, I went to the Parliament, most of the parliamentarians, this was the question they were asking me, that what the Professor said, is it true or not?

“I find it difficult to explain to them and I feel that not only Professor Jega but anybody that would make statements concerning the credibility of this Senate and the cyhairmen, I think you should be bold enough to mention the Committee Chairmen, especially when it is about fighting corruption in Nigeria,” Misau challenged.

He argued further “If we really want to fight corruption and want to help the government, he would not be making such statements without mentioning the committee chairmen and those who gave him that sort of information. I felt embarrassed. We need the Professor to throw more light on what he made.”

Reacting to the situation, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, noted that the comments caused a great deal of embarrassment to the National Assembly leadership as witnessed by himself and the House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

“I was at the programme, myself and the Speaker and we were highly embarrassed by this kind of comment.

“All of us are committed to the fight against corruption. But I believe it doesn’t help the fight against corruption, it is a slight on the integrity of some of us, where such a statement is made.

“If he has those kinds of evidences, he should bring it forward. Because to say that is to suggest that every member of the National Assembly is part of this. Even those who are not part of this are condoling this action which is far from the truth.

“I think the Professor who is respected should come out and mention these kinds of members he is aware of. If he can’t come out and name names, then he should not make such blanket statements.

“Going forward to all distinguished and respected Nigerians, in issues that have to do with the institutions and a parliament, if there are cases like these, we have always said that we are not going to cover up for anybody and future accusations, they should name them and see what the institution would do in trying to ensure that the necessary sanctions are taken,” Saraki said.