The battle for the leadership position of the 10th National Assembly is becoming tougher.
As usual, politicians have allegedly started to financially induce officials who will take part in their election.
Really, financial inducement is not new to Nigerian politics.
In fact, it is a key ingredient in today’s politics, the highest bidder always wins.
It is one of the reasons Nigerians suffered Naira scarcity in weeks past.
These allegations of financial inducements by aspirants jostle for the leadership of the Assembly, has prompted the EFCC to begin monitoring of some dollar-carrying lawmakers.
Spending Spree
The nation’s anti-graft agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have intensified efforts to monitor spending sprees by contestants.
A source in the Federal Ministry of Justice says, “processes have been activated to monitor and track huge spending ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly”.
According to the source, the EFCC and ICPC have been directed to monitor meetings arranged by aspirants.
They must also monitor the new members-elect.
An intelligence report revealed that one of the aspirants for the speaker position had voted $12.5 million (at $50,000 per lawmaker) ahead of the inauguration.
The Money Bags
“All processes have been activated to monitor and track huge spending ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
“There are confirmed reports that some of aspirants who are money bags are already inducing members, especially the new comers.
You May Like: Rivers State: Police Arrest Officers Assaulting Man In Viral Video
“This is not good for our democracy in any form.
“For three weeks now, we have been receiving both written and verbal reports.
“These reports are of people spending so much under flimsy guises.
“We even received a well detailed written petition from a Northern state in respect of an aspirant for speakership.
Also Read: Ex-NUC Boss, Idris Abdulkadir Dies At 79
“You know we don’t act on emotions.
“We have reached a point that all stakeholders in the security and intelligence community get themselves alerted to the subject matter,” the source said.
