A former Chairman, Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has said his allegations of corruption against the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and some officials of the House stemmed from his desire to fight corruption.
“This is what I have always wanted to do; fight and expose corruption in the House of Representatives. I have fought corruption internally in the House. Now, I cherish this rare opportunity to do it externally,” he said.
Jibrin, who noted that there have been questions about his decision to attack the leadership of the house only after his removal as committee chair, wondered if that was enough to rubbish his allegations.
“Does that in anyway affect the substance of the allegations I have raised so far? he asked.
He alleged that his refusal to cooperate with corrupt elements in the House was the reason for his removal, insisting that he did nothing wrong.
The only reason why they wanted me out is my independent-mindedness, resistance to corruption and my refusal to “play ball” on abuse of office,” Jibrin said.
Jibrin’s tweets followed a failed attempt by the All Progressives Congress – to which him and Dogara belong – to resolve the dispute in the House.
He called on Nigerians to use the opportunity to check corruption in the House, stressing that he was ready to face investigation himself should the Speaker or anyone else level allegations of corruption against him.
He added, “I have pledged my continuous support and assistance to the security and anti-corruption agencies. Let me also state that contrary to some myopic opinion that it would affect the institution of the House, it will rather free the institution of the grip of corrupt vested interests, restore its integrity and shape it to become a pride to us.”
