The Senate on Tuesday frowned at an allegation that a sum of 50,000 US dollars was shared out to Senators in what seems a purported move by the Presidency to quench process by the senate to veto President Muhammad Buhari’s refusal to assent Section 25 of the Amendment Bill to the Electoral Act 2010.
The upper chamber described the allegation as scandalous and an attempt to rubbish the integrity of the lawmakers.
The senate consequently instructed its committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the allegation and report back within a week.
This was subsequent upon a motion raised by Sen Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) at plenary that the social media was awash with the alleged story which was also published in the Sun newspaper last Friday that Senators were given 50,000 dollars each.
Wondering for which purpose the alleged money was shared and by who, Nwaoboshi said the report was an attempt to smear the reputation of the legislators and pitch them against the members of the public especially their constituencies.
He prayed that the Senate should probe into the allegation to clear the names of the lawmakers, stressing that it is important that electorate back at home need to know that nothing of such happened.
Contributing to the debate, Sen Mao Ohambuwa (Abia North) said the allegation is scandalous. “I know nothing about it and that is why the allegation should be thoroughly investigated by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges”.
Ruling on the call for investigation by the committee, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the report infringed on the integrity of the senate.
