According to Senator Oshiomhole, his comment on national television was in no way intended to accuse any lawmaker of looting equipment.
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The Senate has demanded an apology from Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), for accusing the lawmakers of looting equipment from their respective offices.
The demand was contained a motion moved by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) and supported by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) on Tuesday during plenary, demanding an apology from Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole, on Sunday, during an interview on Channels Television, alleged that lawmakers of the Ninth National Assembly had stripped their individual offices of all the equipment, including rugs.
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Senator Solomon insisted that the comment made by Oshiomhole was an embarrassment to the lawmakers, particularly, those from the 9th Senate, adding that if an apology is not tendered, he will have to face the consequences.
“My privilege has been abused. A Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria went on National TV and told the whole world that the lawmakers of the Ninth Assembly, which I was a part of, looted equipment from their offices.
We all know that there is no way that a Senator or their aides can take a pin out of the National Assembly without being accounted for. Each of the items was checked and legally passed and those amounts are deducted from severance packages.
I hereby demand that the Senator should apologise to the House or be made to face the Ethics and Privilege Committee.”
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However, Senator Suleiman Abdurahman Kawu (NNPP, Kano South) called for calm stressing that there would be no need to refer the issue to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. He called on the lawmakers to rather “concentrate on things that will bring peace and harmony.”
In his defence, Oshiomhole’s said he was being wrongly accused, adding that he never made such claims, but only said that most of the federal lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly used their personal money to put their offices in shape including himself.
He said, “I have huge respect for every Senator, not only in the 10th Senate but those in the previous Senate.
If anybody had the impression that I accused Senators, that was not the intention and that was certainly not what I said. But for those who feel that my comment, which was meant to protect our image was offensive then, of course, I apologise, because, I cannot leave the comfort of my home to go and accuse the House which I am a member,” he added.
