The Nigerian Senate today said none of its members received N20m COVID-19 palliative from the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Director of Projects, Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh had said in a Newspaper interview that Senators had received N20 million each while House of Representatives members collected N15 million as palliatives.
In a statement titled statement titled, “NDDC boss says senators got N20m, reps N15m each for COVID–19 – a disclaimer,” spokesperson for the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said Ojougboh’s claims were false.
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The statement read in part, “The Senate views with grave concern a statement credited to Dr Cairo Ojougboh, the Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC who alleged that National Assembly members received varying sums of money as COVID-19 palliative.
“The Senate hereby disclaims the allegation in its entirety.
“The Senate categorically denies that any Senator collected the sum of N20 million or any sum whatsoever from NDDC as COVID relief fund of for any purpose whatsoever.
“The Senate challenges Dr Ojougboh to publicly provide evidence of his claim and list the names of the Senators he allegedly gave the alleged sum.
“Failure to provide evidence of his claim, the Senate hereby demands an immediate retraction and a public apology from Dr Cairo Ojougboh.”
