Lawmakers React To Jibrin’s $25,000 Bribery Allegation
Some lawmakers have reacted to claims made by the former chairman of Appropriation Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin that Speaker Yakubu Dogara bribed some members of the house with a sum of $25,000 to sign a vote of confidence for him.
READ HERE: Dogara Bribing Lawmakers With N10m For ‘Vote Of Confidence’- Jibrin Alleges
Recall that Jibrin had earlier alleged that the speaker and three other principal officers were involved in the 2016 budget padding scandal.
Advertisement
But this recent allegation was not greeted graciously, as a member of the House, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, who Jibrin alleged is the coordinator of the vote of confidence described the allegation as a “tale by moonlight”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 3, Mohammed challenged Jibrin to name those who benefited from the bribe.
“My attention has been drawn to yet another tweet by the former chairman appropriation committee, Hon. Jibrin, saying that I and others were distributing $25,000 to each member of the House,”he said.
“That the money was to generate signatures for speaker Dogara as vote of confidence on him.
Advertisement
“The accusation is not only untrue but it is another tale by moonlight to hoodwink Nigerians to malign my image.
“Fellow countrymen please disregard this cheap blackmail aimed at playing to the gallery. I challenge Jibrin to name at least 10 members or less who benefitted from the bribe.
“My advice to Jibrin is that he should stop the mudslinging and concentrate on licking his self inflicted wounds.”
Also reacting, Dogara’s deputy chief of staff, Mr. Cyril Maduabum, dismissed Jibrin’s allegation, saying that it was beginning to follow a pattern.
He stated, “The disgraced Hon. Abdulmumin has once again accused me of being involved in coordinating the distribution of $25,000 to various members in the House of Representatives Zonal Caucus in order to support the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu.
Advertisement
“It is true that he loves mentioning my name, but is he so unintelligent not to notice a pattern. Hon. (Nkem) Abonta disagrees with him on national television, he immediately adds his name in a petition to the EFCC; Hon. (Adams) Jagaba grants an interview against him, he adds his name in the charge sheet which he carries about.
“The Appropriation Committee members disowned him, he immediately alleges inducement of $20,000; the whole House rises against him, then immediately everyone is given $25,000 USD each.
“Can he not see that no one needs to be induced when he is on a one-man riot squad to denigrate all members of the House and pull down the institution of the National Assembly?”
