The controversy in the House of Representatives over allegations of corruption against Speaker Yakubu Dogara has assumed a new dimension as Abdulmumin Jibrin, former chairman of the appropriation committee has revealed why his colleagues are keeping quiet over his allegations.
Jibrin said that each member of the House receives N10 million, every month, as running cost, and that is what the speaker was using to blackmail them.
He said: “The amount (about 10 million naira) received monthly at present by members is the least since the regime of this fraud started.
“At various time in the past Hon Members have received between about 10 to 20 million naira averagely per month and often pocket the money
“The running cost fraud is what Speaker Dogara used to blackmail members to get support and ignore all the grievous allegations I raised.
“All Mr Speaker did was to tacitly threaten members at the caucus before our resumption by reminding them of the running cost they pocket.”
The embattled lawmaker added that “A means was devised to receive part of the four-year cumulative of such money up front” which means that “A member can take up to 200 to 400 million at once.”
“Nobody is saying money should not be allocated to run activities of members. The problem is the money is diverted for personal use, period!”
Jibrin said that he always reminded his colleagues that “only international footballers like Mikel Obi, Pogba are known to earn such colossal amount monthly.”
He added that he was happy that President Muhammadu Buhari has so far kept mum over the goings-on at the lower legislative chamber.
“If PMB had jumped into the matter earlier, trust Nigerians, they would have concluded that the Presidency is using me to fight the House,” he said.
Jibrin also noted that there have been lots of threat on his life and those of his family members, adding that his security details were being gradually withdrawn.
“Anybody who can reach Mr President should inform him that in the face of several threats to my life and that of my family, one of the security agencies has withdrawn their officers protecting me.
“This has made me vulnerable in the face of such persistent threats,” he stated.
The lawmaker however vowed that he would continue with the struggle to rid the House of Representatives of corruption, adding that no amount of threats or intimidation will deter me.”
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