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Reps group faults Dogara’s position on budget

By Adamu Abuh
07 August 2016   |   4:48 am
Members of the Transparency Group of the House of Representatives have faulted the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara 's position that there was no wrong-doing in the 2016 budgeting process.
Dogara

Hon. Yakubu Dogara

Members of the Transparency Group of the House of Representatives have faulted the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara ‘s position that there was no wrong-doing in the 2016 budgeting process.

The group, in a statement , purportedly signed by Mr. Bashir Baballe, representing Ungogo/Minjibir Federal Constituency of Kano State noted that they were appalled and deeply shocked to hear Dogara, exonerate himself from the budget-padding scandal raging in the House.

The lawmaker who claimed to be acting on behalf of the 206 Members of the House argued that Dogara’s role in the budget was a clear negation of federal character principles and breach of trust is both disappointing and dishonorable.

Recall that Dogara shortly after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari insist that there was nothing like padding of the 2016 budget since the National Assembly is empowered to exercise the power of appropriation of monies and projects across the country.

But the group argued that the Speaker’s comments also endanger the spirit of the oneness of Nigeria.

The group added: “We gave the forgoing background to stress the criminal aspect of the Speaker’s action, which is against the letters and spirit of the constitution he swore to protect.

The general public should note that Speaker Yakubu Dogara made criminal insertions (otherwise known as “budget padding”) to the tune of over N3 billion to his constituency alone.

“While the entire Zonal Intervention for the three (3) Senatorial Districts of Bauchi State and 12 Federal Constituencies in the state amounts to N1,666,666,666, the Speaker criminally inserted about 200 percent of the amount, totalling N3,079,000,000 to his constituency alone!

“The same Speaker Yakubu Dogara diverted 50 per cent of the total Capital Projects allocated to Bauchi State to the tune of N4,781,003,431 out of N9,231,289,842 allocated to the state to his constituency.

“If the above breach of trust and infringement of the Nigerian law are not criminal acts, the “insertions” of bogus projects aimed at siphoning public funds like vague “Youth Empowerment” to the tune of N450 million and “Strategic Youth Empowerment” to the tune of N500 million should be.

“The Speaker should explain to the general public the difference between “Youth Empowerment” and “Strategic Youth Empowerment” if it is not a fraud. Every discerning mind knows that this is a riddle to hoodwink the general public against scrutinizing what is clearly a fraud.

“In the light of the above issues, members of the Transparency Group believe that any attempt to shy away from these criminalities without squarely addressing them is tantamount to legalizing corruption. We therefore call on our Honourable colleagues to toe the path of honour, integrity and yearnings of our constituents to avoid signing “Vote of Confidence” on the leadership of the House.

“The onus lies on the Speaker to come clean out of these allegations before we start exposing the sleaze and corruption surrounding the internal budget of the House. We hereby reiterate our call on Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara to resign in order to pave way for proper investigation.”

The statement was also purportedly signed by Messers Agunsoye Oluwarotimi Ojo, Member Representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State and Abubakar Chika Adamu, Member Representing Shiroro/Munya/Rafi Federal Constituency of Niger State.

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