Senators demand apology from Oshiomhole for accusing them of looting their offices

SENATORS who served in the ninth National Assembly have demanded an apology from for former Edo State governor Senator Adams Oshiomhole after he accused some of them of carting away furniture from their offices when their tenure ended.

Over the weekend, while speaking on the Politics Today programme on Channels Television, Senator Oshiomhole, now the lawmaker representing the Edo North Senatorial District, accused them of pilfering. He alleged that senators and House of Representatives members in the last National Assembly carted away items in their various offices, including rugs when they left office.

As a result, he said he and most of the federal lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly used their personal money to put their offices in shape. He asked how this could have happened when there were security operatives guarding the premises.

Senator Oshiomhole said: “In spite of the presence of security men and women, television sets, carpets, and chairs were looted by the immediate past senators and House of Representatives members. The former lawmakers left their offices in shambles with holes in the walls, which had to be fixed by serving lawmakers from their pockets.”

However, earlier today, Senator Adeola Solomon, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, moved a motion demanding an apology from Senator Oshiomhole. He noted that the comment was an embarrassment to the lawmakers and that his privilege had been abused.

Senator Solomon said: “My privilege has been abused. A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria went on national TV and told the whole world that the lawmakers of the Ninth Assembly, which I was a part of, looted equipment from their offices.

“We all know that there is no way that a senator or their aides can take a pin out of the National Assembly without being accounted for. Each of the items was checked and legally passed and those amounts are deducted from severance packages.

“I hereby demand that the senator should apologise to the House or be made to face the Ethics and Privilege Committee.” Senator Adeola's motion was seconded and supported by Senator Adamu Aliero from Kebbi Central.