Obasanjo gave N70m each to lawmakers for failed third, says Lawmaker
By Ogunsona Samuel
Former President Olusegun Obadanjo gave no fewer than N70m each to a chunk of lawmakers in 2006 as bribe in preparation for his third term agenda, a former Senator has revealed. This would amount to a little short of N25b for all but very few of the 360 lawmakers in the House of Representatives. This does not include the amount given to some 109 Senators in what has become Nigeria’s historic theatre of the absurd.
Speaking on Channels TV on Seun Okinbaloye on Sunday, the former Senator representing Osun State, Prof Olusola Adeyeye said Obasanjo rained N70m each on the lawmakers in his bid to secure his third term which eventually failed.
Prof Adeyeye said he was one of those lawmakers that refused to collect the largesse.
He said the consistent pressure on him compelled him to seek media intervention.
He said after his press intervention, his house was invaded.
“Beyond that a lot of numbers of the House of Representatives had their homes invaded.”
When asked if money was given he said “Oh yes. Many fought over the money. Not N50m but N70m.
Adeyeye said every member of the House of Reps in Osun was given money.
“I know where the money was given,” he said.
He argued that a good friend of his came to his house.
“I used to have chandeliers and he believed those might have recorders. I asked if he took money, he said yes. He said because he knew it would fail.”
He said he was glad he did not take money.
“When that person left, he said I missed the opportunity to be a millionaire.”
He said he went to another home and met about five people that were about to share their own money.
He said the gate keeper thought he was one of those to share the money.
“I went to the house of Dimeji Bankole. Money was shared. Unless we want to pretend, a newspaper published the names and plate numbers when they went to collect money.”
He spoke further “I don’t care the view of Channels TV. all I owe this country is the truth.”
He said even Obasanjo can not deny it.
“If he is here, I will say Uncle Segun you gave money”
He recalled how he and others had saved Obasanjo when he was in detention.
“I know how we saved Obasanjo. I was the head of Radio Kudirat. We published that Gen Shehu Yar Adua would die because we knew he had been poisoned.”
He said the important thing was “we did our best to save those we could save during the military era.”
On why he did not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the primary of All Progressives Congress, (APC), he said it was because Tinubu earlier said he would not contest for the Presidential slot.
He said “on this programme, I said the most superlative things about Tinubu. He told me he would not run and why he said he would not run.I quoted Papa Enahoro and said I would never disclose the reason he said he would not run.”
He spoke further “I also said the primary content within the APC, if Kayode Fayemi won the primary or Tinubu won the primary, he would win my support. But eventually I voted for Tinubu.”
He said no Senator with his level of resources gave money like he did to support former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola during the gubernatorial election.
“I spent 100m of my own money to support Oyetola. One day, they said they ran out of money. On that spot, I brought N47m cash. Ambode of Lagos was so impressed. That day, Ambode gave me N5m. He wondered why he did not have such Senator in his state. I spent more on Oyetola election than myself.”
On the disagreement between President Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, he said the two can resolve the dispute if they decide to do so.
He described the book launch of former Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida as a parade of criminality.
He said the donation by business men would ultimately be paid for by ordinary Nigerians who would bear the brunt of increase in goods and services produced by the highest donors at the book launch.
