Two hundred and six members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have again urged Speaker Yakubu Dogara to step down in order to ensure a proper investigation into the budget padding controversy that has enveloped the legislative body. Mr. Dogara and former chairman of the House appropriations committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, have for two weeks engaged in verbal exchanges, blaming each other for the padding of the 2016 budget.

In a statement released today, the lawmakers, who described themselves as members of the Transparency Group, expressed deep shock that Speaker Dogara has been trying to exonerate himself from responsibility for the scandalous padding of the 2016 budget. The statement disclosed that the group was appalled that Mr. Dogara had “the temerity to come out publicly in defense of an action that is [a] clear negation of federal character principles and breach of trust,” adding that the speaker’s action was “both disappointing and dishonorable.”

Bashir Baballe, from Kano State, Agunsoye Oluwarotimi Ojo, a member of the House from Lagos State, and Abubakar Chika Adamu, from Niger State, signed the statement on behalf of the Transparency Group. With 206 House members, the Transparency Group now constitutes a huge opposition to the Speaker of a legislative body that has 360 members.

“The Speaker's comments also endanger the spirit of the oneness of Nigeria,” said the group’s statement, adding that they wished 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.”

According to the group, “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, totaling N3, 079,000,000, to his constituency alone!”

The group also accused Mr. Dogara of allocating N4.8 billion out of N9.3 billion in capital projects for Bauchi to his constituency, noting that the sum represented 50 percent of the capital budget for the state. The Transparency Group wrote: “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 lawmakers challenged Mr. Dogara to “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.”

The group insisted that any attempt to ignore the speaker’s alleged criminal activities would amount to “legalizing corruption.” They urged fellow members of the House “to toe the path of honor, integrity and yearnings of our constituents to avoid signing [a] ‘Vote of Confidence’ on the leadership of the House.”

The group demanded that Speaker Dogara come clean concerning the allegations, adding that the group would soon “start exposing the sleaze and corruption surrounding the internal budget of the House.”

http://saharareporters.com/2016/08/06/budget-padding-row-206-members-house-reps-demand-speaker-dogara’s-resignation

With the hard times many of us are facing you still have the guts to defend your padding, oga please resign.

Dogara God alone will judge you. Bunch of rogues. You mean you don't see anything wrong in paddling our budget? The man deserve better slap to bring his brain back to normal.

Common man cannot afford #10 sugar to soak garri yet you people are packing big big money. God will visit you and your cabal both in APC/PDP soonest.

Awon Oloriburuku akoshi bero.

nice one.. i support that

If they are sure of the numbers they brand about why not go ahead and initiAte impeachment proceedings??... I hate delays...

Do Nigerian politicians have resignation in their dictionaries

"Padding is not an offence"
That's his only defence.

I refuse to sit on the fence,
Until Legisla"thieves" confess

Anoda trouble brewing

Dogara shld resign. How can he appropriate such amount for youth empowerment when we knw that d money is meant to b siphon.

Useless speaker

...

Unfortunately for this "Transparency Group", they CANNOT unseat Dogara. They need additional 36 members, as such "Dogara, you are SAVED!!!"

The big question Nigerians should be asking is: With all the "paddings" at Executive, Legislative and judiciary levels, why has APC budget remained N6.8Billion APC should stop distracting the public while failing to keep ONE electoral promise, please!

They need few members more to form two-third required for impeachment.... Dogara going small small

Shameless wicked and irresponsible legislathieves

Lesson: Do not mess with almighty Tinubu - the master planner. He will get u, and get u good!

Amitex:
Unfortunately for this "Transparency Group", they CANNOT unseat Dogara. They need additional 36 members, as such "Dogara, you are SAVED!!!"

The big question Nigerians should be asking is: With all the "paddings" at Executive, Legislative and judiciary levels, why has APC budget remained N6.8Billion APC should stop distracting the public while failing to keep ONE electoral promise, please!

My dear, corruption serves no one. Not even the corrupt! So stop supporting looters just cos u hate a political party or a particular individual. It wont help you ok.

and when someone steals a sachet of N10 pure water, he would be burnt to death.

"Youth Empowerment and Strategic Youth Empowerment". Naija politicians no go kill us.

All of the Legislatures are guilty of padding the budget. the only issue here is the amount allocated by the speaker and some principal officers to themselves.

Unseating Dogara is a difficult task but even the new member that will be appointed is no saint so what's the need.

I think its time to completely remove the sickness called CONSTITUENCY PROJECT from our books. The same should be the faith of SECURITY VOTES. They are nothing but corruption pipe.

Jaymaxxy:
"Youth Empowerment and Strategic Youth Empowerment". Naija politicians no go kill us.

ONLY IN A CHANGE CHANTING GOVERNMENT?

CONFUSED PEOPLE, DISORGANISED COUNTRY, SATANIC ECONOMY, BARBARIC RULERS, AND A SHAME AS A NATION.

The padding saga continues

Dogara should just step down. The problem is politics in Nigeria is a do or die affair...its for their personal pocket and not the people they are meant to represent if not what is the big deal in stepping down despite these strong allegations. I watched his interview and he was not even remorse, asking the interview dt what is padding? and saying he's a lawyer and padding is not an offence... imagine.. Padding that is done for their selfish reasons and its not an offence.. These people have got no heart at all

CONFUSED PEOPLE, DISORGANISED COUNTRY, SATANIC ECONOMY, BARBARIC RULERS, AND A SHAME AS A NATION.

He just has to go.

Dogara must go

Dogara must go

Good one. We are getting there slowly but surely. Say NO to our yam eaters

A public office is not anyone's birthright, Mr speaker mbok resign. I don't wanna say it again...

CACAWA:
"Padding is not an offence"
That's his only defence.

I refuse to sit on the fence,
Until Legisla"thieves" confess

Senate President barawo, Speaker House of rep First class criminal no wonder Bubu had been against them from day 1, imagine the poo "the thing" is spewing PADDING IS NOT AN OFFENCE, them don see Nigerians as mumu

K.

Dramas