Electoral sequence: Senate Investigates Bribery Allegation

Senate on Tuesday directed  its standing Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate alleged attempts to bribery Senators and members of House of Representatives in to abandon plans to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of the 2018 Electoral Act amendment.

Senate decision was sequel to a point of order raised by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi who called the attention of the lawmakers to media reports on alleged move to bribe senators with $50,000 and their House of Representatives counterpart with $30000 in order to halt plans to override Mr.  President.

Senate in its resolution directed its committee to submit the report on the matter in two weeks.

Speaking further on the issue, Nwaoboshi stated that the media report infringes on his right as a senator since he did not receive any money from anybody.

He prayed the Senate to get to the root of the matter with a view to unearthing the faces behind the bribery allegation.

Nwaoboshi said: “My constituents have been calling me through phone calls and emails. They are asking me to share the $50,000 I received as bribe with them to scuttle plans by the Senate to override the veto of the President.

“I know that as a person, I have not received such money. Many of my colleagues too did not receive any money. I am sure nobody received the bribe they are alleging. This allegation infringes on my right as a senator and I think we have to get to the root of this issue.”

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who supported the motion said that if allegation was not cleared Nigerians will believe and tag them as thieves.

He added that  his constituents members have been bombarding his with phone calls over the deployment.

In his remarks,  Senate President,  Dr.  Bukola Saraki who referred the matter to the committee  said, “Since we first started two and half years ago,  there have been no report of this . The committee should do a thorough job and come back within one week.”