Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives - Politics - Nairaland
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| Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by OlujobaSamuel: 11:39am On Jan 27, 2016 |
January 13, 2016 Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senate Chambers, Abuja. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. It is appropriate to begin this letter, which I am sending to all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives through both of you at this auspicious and critical time, with wishes of Happy New Year to you all. On a few occasions in the past, both in and out of office as the President of Nigeria, I have agonised on certain issues within the arms of government at the national level and among the tiers of government as well. Not least, I have reflected and expressed, outspokenly at times, my views on the practice in the National Assembly which detracts from distinguishness and honourability because it is shrouded in opaqueness and absolute lack of transparency and could not be regarded as normal, good and decent practice in a democracy that is supposed to be exemplary. I am, of course, referring to the issue of budgets and finances of the National Assembly. The present economic situation that the country has found itself in is the climax of the steady erosion of good financial and economic management which grew from bad to worse in the last six years or so. The executive and the legislative arms of government must accept and share responsibility in this regard. And if there will be a redress of the situation as early as possible, the two arms must also bear the responsibility proportionally. The two arms ran the affairs of the country unmindful of the rainy day. The rainy day is now here. It would not work that the two arms should stand side by side with one arm pulling and without the support of the other one for good and efficient management of the economy. The purpose of election into the Legislative Assembly particularly at the national level is to give service to the nation and not for the personal service and interest of members at the expense of the nation which seemed to have been the mentality, psychology, mindset and practice within the National Assembly since the beginning of this present democratic dispensation. Where is patriotism? Where is commitment? Where is service? The beginning of good governance which is the responsibility of all arms and all the tiers of government is openness and transparency. It does not matter what else we try to do, as long as one arm of government shrouds its financial administration and management in opaqueness and practices rife with corruption, only very little, if anything at all, can be achieved in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable and enduring democratic system, development and progress. Governance without transparency will be a mockery of democracy. Let us be more direct and specific so that action can be taken where it is urgently necessary. A situation where our national budget was predicated on $38 per barrel of oil with estimated 2 million barrels per day and before the budget was presented, the price of oil had gone down to $34 per barrel and now hovering around $30 and we have no assurance of producing 2 million barrels and if we can, we have no assurance of finding market for it, definitely calls for caution. If production and price projected in the budget stand, we would have to borrow almost one third of the 6 trillion naira budget. Now beginning with the reality of the budget, there is need for sober reflection and sacrifice with innovation at the level of executive and legislative arms of government. The soberness, the sacrifice and seriousness must be patient and apparent. It must not be seen and said that those who, as leaders, call for sacrifice from the citizenry are living in obscene opulence. It will not only be insensitive but callously so. It would seem that it is becoming a culture that election into the legislative arm of government at the national level in particular is a licence for financial misconduct and that should not be. The National Assembly now has a unique opportunity of presenting a new image of itself. It will help to strengthen, deepen, widen and sustain our democracy. By our Constitution, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is charged with the responsibility of fixing emoluments of the three arms of government: executive, legislature and judiciary. The Commission did its job but by different disingenuous ways and devices, the legislature had overturned the recommendation of the Commission and hiked up for themselves that which they are unwilling to spell out in detail, though they would want to defend it by force of arm if necessary. What is that? Mr. President of the Senate and Hon. Speaker of the House, you know that your emolument which the Commission had recommended for you takes care of all your legitimate requirements: basic salary, car, housing, staff, constituency allowance. Although the constituency allowance is paid to all members of the National Assembly, many of them have no constituency offices which the allowance is partly meant to cater for. And yet other allowances and payments have been added by the National Assembly for the National Assembly members’ emoluments. Surely, strictly speaking, it is unconstitutional. There is no valid argument for this except to see it for what it is – law-breaking and impunity by lawmakers. The lawmakers can return to the path of honour, distinguishness, sensitivity and responsibility. The National Assembly should have the courage to publish its recurrent budgets for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. That is what transparency demands. With the number of legislators not changing, comparison can be made. Comparisons in emoluments can also be made with countries like Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and even Malaysia and Indonesia who are richer and more developed than we are. The budget is a proposal and only an estimate of income and expenditure. Where income is inadequate, expenditure will not be made. While in government, I was threatened with impeachment by the members of the National Assembly for not releasing some money they had appropriated for themselves which were odious and for which there were no incomes to support. The recent issue of cars for legislators would fall into the same category. Whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive. A pool of a few cars for each Chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty. The waste that has gone into cars, furniture, housing renovation in the past was mind-boggling and these were veritable sources of waste and corruption. That was why they were abolished. Bringing them back is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. The way of proposing budget should be for the executive to discuss every detail of the budget, in preparation, with different Committees and sub-Committees of the National Assembly and the National Assembly to discuss its budget with the Ministry of Finance. Then, the budget should be brought together as consolidated budget and formally presented to the National Assembly, to be deliberated and debated upon and passed into law. It would then be implemented as revenues are available. Where budget proposals are extremely ambitious like the current budget and revenue sources are so uncertain, more borrowing may have to be embarked upon, almost up to 50% of the budget or the budget may be grossly unimplementable and unimplemented. Neither is a choice as both are bad. Management of the economy is one of the key responsibilities of the President as prescribed in the Constitution. He cannot do so if he does not have his hands on the budget. Management of the economy is shared responsibility where the Presidency has the lion share of the responsibility. But if the National Assembly becomes a cog in the wheel, the executive efforts will not yield much reward or progress. The two have to work synchronisingly together to provide the impetus and the conducive environment for the private sector to play its active vanguard role. Management of the budget is the first step to manage the economy. It will be interesting if the National Assembly will be honourable enough and begin the process of transparency, responsibility and realism by publishing its recurrent budgets for 2016 as it should normally be done. Hopefully, the National Assembly will take a step back and do what is right not only in making its own budget transparent but in all matters of financial administration and management including audit of its accounts by external outside auditor from 1999 to date. This, if it is done, will bring a new dawn to democracy in Nigeria and a new and better image for the National Assembly and it will surely avoid the Presidency and the National Assembly going into face-off all the time on budgets and financial matters. While I thank you for your patience and understanding, please accept, Dear Senate President and Honourable Speaker of the House, the assurances of my highest consideration. OLUSEGUN OBASANJO http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/197480-exclusive-obasanjo-writes-saraki-dogara-accuses-national-assembly-corruption-greed-lawlessness-impunity.html 84 Likes 11 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Nobody: 11:43am On Jan 27, 2016 |
 Pot abusing kettle. Refund 16billion dollars power fund first before blabbing. Grand father of corruption  209 Likes 21 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by IVORY2009(m): 11:44am On Jan 27, 2016 |
We all know that those two men, corruption is written all over their faces, baba tell them... 44 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Nobody: 11:45am On Jan 27, 2016 |
IVORY2009: are u a military man? do u live in bayelsa 3 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Nobody: 11:46am On Jan 27, 2016 |
IVORY2009: are u a mikitary man? do u live in bayelsa |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by OlujobaSamuel: 11:47am On Jan 27, 2016 |
I wish other past HOS can also comment on the affairs of this nation from time to time, things might have been better. For now, this is the only writing president, others don't, he is the only one with documented records of his stewardship(rightly or wrongly), while others can't show us any. I hope GEJ will also write one someday. 150 Likes 18 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by TippyTop(m): 11:50am On Jan 27, 2016 |
Kettle calling the pot black. 14 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by EdCure: 11:54am On Jan 27, 2016 |
Apt and accurate! The arrogance and lawlessness of Saraki and Dogara is becoming too conspicuous and Unhealthy for the nation. 92 Likes 12 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by tubouncen(m): 11:55am On Jan 27, 2016 |
Season 02 episode 01 of letter writing continues.... 3 Likes |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by tubouncen(m): 11:55am On Jan 27, 2016 |
Season 02 episode 01 of open letter writing continues.... 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by feedthenation(m): 11:57am On Jan 27, 2016 |
Baba has spoken, let's wait for the rebuttal from Saraki & Dogara. 3 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Rankine(m): 11:57am On Jan 27, 2016 |
dis sermon nawa... 1 Like |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by bewla(m): 11:57am On Jan 27, 2016 |
says who |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by EdCure: 11:59am On Jan 27, 2016 |
TippyTop:Someone has to speak up. You can voice your own opinion. Let's see if you enjoy more credibility and wider audience than the man you so love to dismiss. 113 Likes 4 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by EdCure: 12:03pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
joborskill:You're entitled to your own opinion. Though the greatest deception that men face is from their own opinion. 67 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by AdeniyiA(m): 12:20pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Only a thief knows the path tread by another thief... 6 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by poiZon: 12:53pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
international THIEF THIEF! 4 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by ProfessorPeter(m): 1:02pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
I will take your letters writing serious when you write to Buhari about your involvement in Harliburton. 20 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by bjdon: 1:13pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
OlujobaSamuel: Well Mr Obasanjo, when I read the quote above, I must wonder, how does your 50 Million bribe to each of the National Assembly members for your third term plot fit with the pious quotes? Obasanjo is the MOST hypocritical and two faced person in the Nigerian public space today. He writes his letters to various govts, pretending to be all moral and upstanding, meanwhile his actual practices never match up with his words. I pray one day this two faced hypocrite will be exposed for the immoral creature he really is. 63 Likes 9 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by plux4: 3:46pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
if you think OBJ is doing dis for the good of dis country,you must be a learner in Nigeria politics. 15 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by ofeco: 4:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
I think OBJ has no moral justification to accuse others of being corrupt because he is an epitome of corruption. if truly he is concerned abt the present economic quagmire he should refund part of his loot to enable the incumbent to perform if not he should stop making noise. 13 Likes |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by NobleAngell(f): 4:22pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Egbon Segun, now I feel like Jesus Christ was referring to u when He said 'Let him without sin cast the first stone'. So be careful who you call 'pot' Mr. Kettle. 8 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Nobody: 5:18pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Great....Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has spoken well  "the greatest achievement of the National Assembly since the return of democracy is stopping the third term plan of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo." Dogara, Speaker HoR (25 Jan. 2016) 12 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by anigbajumo(m): 5:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
"Although the constituency allowance is paid to all members of the National Assembly, many of them have no constituency offices which the allowance is partly meant to cater for. And yet other allowances and payments have been added by the National Assembly for the National Assembly members’ emoluments. Surely, strictly speaking, it is unconstitutional. There is no valid argument for this except to see it for what it is – law-breaking and impunity by lawmakers. The lawmakers can return to the path of honour, distinguishness, sensitivity and responsibility. The National Assembly should have the courage to publish its recurrent budgets for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. That is what transparency demands. With the number of legislators not changing, comparison can be made. Comparisons in emoluments can also be made with countries like Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and even Malaysia and Indonesia who are richer and more developed than we are." Nonsense!!! sir,what was your effort towards these while u are in office,or is these just started today?? In fact,OBJ is the architect of this poo.Nigerian keen on democracy fully in 1999 and u are the president then. When Senate house and house of reps started allocating and sharing billions of naira as their useless allowances, where are you then?? U kept shut coz of you are voracious......... 13 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by TheFilmmaker: 5:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
 9 Likes 1 Share
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| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Wadasco(m): 5:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Story for TH gods |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by kennyman2000(m): 5:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Hmmmm |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Sijo01(f): 5:19pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Obj the letter writer! 2 Likes |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Nobody: 5:20pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
interesting 1 Like |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by Saheed9: 5:20pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Hehehe, ebora owu too is talking about corruption. 5 Likes |
| Re: Obasanjo's Letter To Senate And House Of Representatives by tunwumi: 5:20pm On Jan 27, 2016 |
Booked |
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