Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has unleashed a scathing attack on Nigeria’s lawmakers, branding them as “much worse” than those who served in the First, Second, and Third Republics. In his new book, Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision for Tomorrow, Obasanjo described constituency projects as “daylight unarmed robbery,” crafted by legislators in their “hunger for illegitimate money.”
The elder statesman, who served Nigeria both as a military head of state and as a democratically elected president, declared that he saw “no redeeming feature” in lawmakers to build the Nigeria envisioned by the Constitution.
Obasanjo recalled the fierce resistance he faced when pushing the bill that created the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to him, it took the National Assembly one and a half years to pass the bill, only after watering it down to protect their own interests.
“Some of them said that if they passed the bill as I had sent it to them, most of them would go to jail after their term as lawmakers,” Obasanjo revealed. “I had to assent to the bill in its diluted form, otherwise, it would never have seen the light of day.”
The former president further alleged that lawmakers routinely manipulated bills to suit personal and political interests, citing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) bill as a glaring example. He claimed some oil-producing states bribed lawmakers to remove their financial contributions from the framework designed to fund regional development.
Obasanjo did not spare lawmakers’ handling of their salaries and allowances, accusing them of violating the Constitution by fixing their own pay packages.
“In our Constitution, no group is allowed to determine its salary and emoluments. Yet the lawmakers sidestepped the law, awarding themselves obscene salaries and allowances that make them the highest paid in the developing world—higher even than some developed countries,” he said.
Obasanjo recalled how, as president, he resisted releasing certain budgeted funds, describing lawmakers’ profligacy as “area boys’ conduct.” He admitted facing impeachment threats but said he was unmoved.
‘Constituency Projects: Open Looting of National Resources’
Obasanjo reserved his harshest criticism for constituency projects, which he described as a fraudulent scheme.
“In their hunger for illegitimate money, lawmakers devised what they call constituency projects, which they unilaterally insert into the budget without executive consultation. These projects distort the national budget, create deficits, and make the entire exercise a caricature,” he wrote.
He added that under his administration, legislators colluded with ministries and parastatals to siphon funds, but those caught were punished. He recalled sacking a former female Education Minister for such misconduct. Today, however, Obasanjo claimed, the practice is “brazen, audacious, and carried out with impunity,” with the president complicit through silence.
‘Oversight Visits Have Become Extortion Rackets’
Obasanjo also blasted lawmakers’ so-called oversight functions, describing them as “purely an avenue to extort money.”
“They have a committee for each ministry, parastatal, and commission. Their visits to these agencies are not to strengthen governance but to collect money. It is shockingly bad!” he fumed.
In his fierce indictment, Obasanjo concluded that Nigerian lawmakers have betrayed their constitutional mandate and weaponized public office for selfish enrichment, making them a national liability rather than an asset.
PIONEER NEWS 