Dogara bought N4bn exotic cars to silence members – Jibrin

The suspended member representing Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency Kano, state, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has joined Nigerians in condemning the N4 billion worth of exotic cars purchased by members of the House of Representatives for oversight functions describing it as a ploy by Speaker Yakubu Dogara to silence members.

Jibrin, who is facing a one year suspension for his alleged desecration of the House in a letter over the weekend criticized the purchase of cars for members of the House by Mr. Dogara at such a difficult period of economic recession and what he termed the reckless and insensitive justification of such a monumental waste by the Speaker.

According to Jibrin, “I followed with keen interest the condemnation by Nigerians of purchase of cars for members of House by Speaker Dogara at such a difficult period of economic recession and the reckless and insensitive justification of such a monumental waste by the Speaker.

“In line with my commitment to continue to expose individual and systemic corruption in the House and Nigeria as a whole, I wish to state the following facts; that it is an outright lie that the cars are needed for oversight as over 80% of oversight activities of the House of Representatives are carried out in Abuja and in almost all instances it is the MDA’s that arrange buses to convey members from the premises of the House to the respective MDA.

He stated further that where such areas are far away from Abuja, members always use flights to the nearest location while the MDA’s arrange vehicles and other logistics to complete the visit and that in almost all instances the MDA’s provides accommodation and pay for the tickets and other logistics.

Jibrin said that even if the cars were needed, it was unfair and fraudulent to further put additional N4 billion into such wasteful venture while at the same time members pocket about N10 million monthly; “an amount many members use to sponsor their lavish life style and buy as many exotic cars for their private use.

“Despite the monthly allowances and the purchases of these new cars, a special car allowance is yet again being arranged for members. The last I know before my illegal suspension was that the issue of another separate car allowance remains an outstanding entitlement of members with the Speaker giving continuous assurances to members that it will be paid.”

He warned Nigerians to be vigilant as Speaker Dogara has tried to be smart by awarding the supply of the cars to Peugeot Automobile so he can hide under the guise that the House is supporting local manufacturers to deflect criticism.

He emphasized that oversight functions by House members are used as avenues under Speaker Dogara to solicit for illegal favors and bribes from MDA’s. It is a normal thing to see members fighting over alleged bribe money after an oversight visit. While emphasizing that the hurried purchase of the cars is part of the carrot and stick approach deployed by Speaker Dogara to silent members and ensure that the allegations of massive budget fraud and corruption against him never sees the light of the day.

Jibrin ended the letter by informing that he has decided to reject the car gift, a move he said, he has communicated to his constituents.