Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo
Federal lawmakers yesterday expressed anger over former President Olusegun Obasanjo's letter to the leadership of the National Assembly accusing it of financial recklessness and insensitivity to the declining state of the country's economy.
They said, in his usual manner of always bringing out missives to create unnecessary tension and acrimony and heat up the polity, Obasanjo may have written his recent letter to set them on a collision course with President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the letter dated January 13 and addressed to Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the former president accused the federal lawmakers of allocating to themselves salaries and allowances that were far higher than what is specified for them by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Although the letter, which was widely publicised yesterday, was not read on either chamber of the National Assembly, it has however generated disquiet among the legislators since it was leaked to the press a couple of days ago.
One of the lawmakers who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday said it was a general consensus among them that Obasanjo was trying to cause disaffection between the National Assembly and President Buhari in order to generate the kind of executive/legislative feud that characterised his administration between 1999 and 2007.
"You know former President Obasanjo's closeness with President Buhari, and you can recall how his previous letters shook the system; so given the ongoing anti-corruption fight, he only wanted set Buhari against us. I can confirm to you that this is our understanding of his latest antics," the lawmaker who preferred not to be named in print said.
Also, Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday faulted former President Obasanjo over allegations of corruption and insensitivity against the National Assembly.
Saraki, through his special adviser, Media, Mr Yusulf Olaniyun, had assured, last Wednesday, that he would reply the former president in the similar manner he was written.
Keeping to his promise, the Senate President, who opted for his Twitter handle, said the 8th Senate was not only committed to good governance, but was also prepared to ensure accountability and transparency in its dealings.
Saraki assured the former president that the Senate, under his leadership, understands the economic challenges facing the country and would always follow the due process and responsiveness in its duties.
Saraki twitted: "I will want to assure President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the 8th Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic realities of our nation.
"It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly."
He further stated that the 8th Senate was prepared to lead by example in terms of its funding, budget and accountability, stressing that the Red Chamber was also determined to strengthen its committees to be able to carry out oversight functions.
He commended the former president for his patriotism and concerns, saying he would reply the letter and outline the actions the Senate was taking to address his concerns.
LEADERSHIP FRIDAY gathered that Saraki's response to Obasanjo's letter did not go down well with some senators who expressed displeasure at the way the Senate president was gentle with a someone whose letter they considered as ill-conceived and written in bad faith.
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