The senate yesterday took on the Buhari Campaign Organisation for the 20219 presidential election over the allegation that national assembly lawmakers hoarded palliatives meant for distribution to Nigerians during the coronavirus pandemic.
The director, media and publicity of the campaign committee, Mr. Kailani Muhammad, had at the weekend condemned unnamed governors and federal lawmakers for allegedly hoarded foodstuffs meant for the people.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Muhammad had stated that but for the twist in the #EndSARS protests, Nigerians would not have known that foodstuffs meant for distribution were safely in warehouses for reasons unknown to millions across the country.
“The average Nigerian hardly eats two meals a day, but our politicians from the national assembly and the governors cruise flamboyantly in Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) around town. I am optimistic that this #EndSARS movement will jilt them out of stupor. The protesters have touched the conscience of a mass section of the various stratum of our nation across board. What our so-called leaders need to do now is to sit back and think deeply about where they went wrong.
“Those who are scared of the unknown by these protests because of skeletons in their cupboards must have a rethink. They must re-adjust themselves so as not to be caught in the cross- fire that may occur. The consequences of a repeat of a daring youth stratum, who might take a second peep through the lenses to detect deliberate damaging attitude by any section of governance, which inflicts avoidable pains on the populace might not have a hiding place.
“It was during the protests that Nigerians got to know that President Buhari had long ago, approved a whooping N75 billion for Youth Investment Fund (YIF) that is meant to empower the youth stratum with a loan facility ranging from N250, 000 to N50 million. That was a heartwarming revelation. Moreover, over N53 billion was approved for state governors, apart from the palliatives from the humanitarian ministry,” he said.
Reacting, the chairman, senate committee on media and publicity Mr. Ajibola Basiru, denied the allegation saying no lawmaker hoarded palliatives meant for distribution to their constituents.
He said the lawmakers received neither money nor foodstuffs from President Muhammadu Buhari and warned the group to desist from spreading falsehood designed to paint the legislators bad light.
He stated that in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the senators did not only donate half of their salaries for the purpose of cushioning the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also bought and distributed food to their different constituents.
“The attention of the chairman, senate committee on media and publicity has been drawn to a publication credited to the director, media and publicity of the Muhammadu Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign Committee, Engr. Kailani Muhammad, alleging hoarding of palliatives meant for distribution to Nigerians by lawmakers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While not speaking for the governors, I make bold to say that no federal lawmaker, and indeed, no senator received any kobo from Mr. President or any foodstuff or any material for that matter, talk less of hoarding them.
“Rather, at the senate, we donated half of the members’ salaries for the purpose of cushioning the effect of COVID 19.
“We legislators equally played our part by purchasing and distributing palliatives to people at our different constituencies. So it is quite unfortunate for Muhammad or anyone to castigate us in the public and saying what is not true,” Basiru stated.
