By Ademola Akanni, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has denied rumours that the lawmakers hoarded #COVID-19 palliatives given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari, reports The Gazelle News.com.
According to a statement by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the rumour was credited to a publication by the Director, Media and Publicity of Muhammadu Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign Committee, Engr Kailani Muhammad.
Senator Bashiru described the allegation as either wicked lies or deliberate misinformation by Engr Kailani. “Lawmakers never receive any palliative from Mr President or the Federal Government for onward distribution to our constituents,” the statement said.
The Senate spokesman said further that, “While not speaking for the Governors, I make bold to say that no Federal lawmaker and indeed, no Senator received any kobo from Mr President or any food stuff or any material for that matter, talk less of hoarding them.
“Rather at the Senate, we donated half of members’ salaries for the purpose of cushioning the effect of COVID 19.
“We legislators equally played our part by purchasing and distributing palliatives to people at our different constituencies. So it is quite unfortunate for Kilani Mohammed or anyone to castigate us in the public and saying what is not true”.
Below is the full statement from Senator Bashiru:
The attention of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and publicity has been drawn to a publication credited to The Director, Media and Publicity of the Muhammadu Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign Committee, Engr. Kailani Muhammad alleging hoarding of palliatives meant for distribution to Nigerians by lawmakers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Ajibola Basiru who described the allegations as either wicked lies or deliberate misinformation on the part of Engr Kailani said rather emphatically, that lawmakers never received any COVID-19 palliatives from Mr President or the Federal Government, at all, for onward distribution to their constituents.
” While not speaking for the Governors, I make bold to say that no Federal lawmaker and indeed, no Senator received any kobo from Mr President or any food stuff or any material for that matter, talk less of hoarding them.
“Rather at the Senate, we donated half of members’ salaries for the purpose of cushioning the effect of COVID 19.
” We legislators equally played our part by purchasing and distributing palliatives to people at our different constituencies. So it is quite unfortunate for Kilani Mohammed or anyone to castigate us in the public and saying what is not true”, he said.
Dr Ajibola Basiru however cautioned against “deliberate falsehood to paint Federal Lawmakers in bad light for whatever motive.”
Press Statement issued by Remi Ibitola, Media Adviser to Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru.