Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a scathing attack on Nigerian lawmakers, describing them as “much worse” than their predecessors in the First, Second, and Third Republics.
In his recently released book, “Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision For Tomorrow,” Obasanjo expressed his disappointment with the current state of affairs in the National Assembly.
According to Obasanjo, constituency projects are a form of “daylight unarmed robbery” devised by lawmakers “in their hunger for illegitimate money.” He stated that these projects are often inserted into the budget without consultation or agreement with the executive, distorting national planning and driving deficits.
“Constituency projects by lawmakers at national or state levels are daylight unarmed robbery. All involved must be treated as criminals,” Obasanjo emphasized.
The former president also revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act was deliberately delayed and watered down by lawmakers who feared imprisonment once they left office. Obasanjo had to assent to the bill as passed, despite its weakened form, because he was hinted that returning it to parliament would have killed it completely.
“Some of them said that if they passed the bill as I had sent it to them, most of them would go to jail after their term as lawmakers,” he disclosed.
Obasanjo further criticized lawmakers for breaching the Constitution by awarding themselves extravagant salaries and allowances. “The lawmakers set aside the provision of the Constitution and granted themselves obscene salaries and allowances that make them the highest paid among the developing countries and even higher than some developed countries,” he noted.
He added that when he was president, he refused to release funds budgeted that he found unacceptable, despite threats of impeachment.
Moreover, Obasanjo condemned oversight visits by parliamentary committees, describing them as avenues for extortion. “They visit the projects of these ministries and parastatals purely only to collect money from them. It is shockingly bad!” he exclaimed.
In his book, Obasanjo expressed his disappointment with the current crop of lawmakers, stating that they lack the capacity to build the Nigeria envisioned in the Constitution. He recalled his battles with the legislature during his military and civilian administrations, highlighting the challenges he faced in dealing with lawmakers who prioritize their personal interests over the nation’s development.
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