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Former President Obasanjo condemns Nigerian legislators for corruption and budget manipulation.
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Constituency projects and oversight visits described as tools for personal enrichment.
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EFCC, NDDC bills cited as examples of lawmakers diluting laws to protect self-interest.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a scathing critique of Nigerian lawmakers, asserting that current legislators are “much worse” than those of 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 labels constituency projects at both national and state levels as daylight “unarmed robbery,” created by legislators in pursuit of illegitimate wealth.
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In chapter seven, Lawmakers at Federal and State Levels, Obasanjo recounts his experiences managing lawmakers as a military leader and democratically elected president, stating he observed “no redeeming feature in them to build a Nigeria of our dream as projected in our constitution.”
He noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bill took a year and a half to pass through the National Assembly and was watered down because some legislators feared prosecution after leaving office.
Obasanjo also cited the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill as an example of legislative manipulation. Originally designed for contributions from oil companies, the federal government, and affected states to support regional development, the bill was altered to exclude certain states following alleged bribery of national lawmakers.
He further criticises lawmakers for breaching constitutional provisions regarding salaries and emoluments.
“The lawmakers set aside the provision of the Constitution and granted themselves obscene salaries and allowances that make them the highest paid among developing countries and even higher than some developed nations,” Obasanjo wrote.
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According to the former president, lawmakers unilaterally inserted constituency projects into budgets without executive consultation, distorting national finances and driving deficits.
He condemned oversight visits, describing them as mechanisms for extorting money from ministries and parastatals.
“Constituency projects by lawmakers at national or state levels are daylight unarmed robbery. All involved must be treated as criminals,” Obasanjo declared.
