THE representative for Edo North, Adams Oshiomole, apologized before the Senate yesterday for the vandalism allegations leveled against his colleagues.
Oshiomhole had said that members of the 9th National Assembly had stolen stuff from their offices, including rugs when he appeared on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Sunday.
He said that he and the majority of federal legislators in the 10th National Assembly paid for office maintenance out of their own pockets.
However, yesterday, Senator Adeola Solomon, submitted a resolution requesting an apology from Oshiomhole during the plenary .
Adeola said, “The matter arising has to do with one of our colleagues that granted a television interview concerning the 9th Senate, which I was a member.
“On this said programme, the senator told the whole world that we looted our offices and that chairs, tables television sets and other equipment were carted away by the senators.
“I feel very strongly about this and I feel my privileges have been bridged. I am one of the senators that served in the 9th Senate. This is a very serious matter, he was addressing Nigerians about this Senate.”
After the information became public, Senate Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume moved under the rules for the Senate to go into executive session to discuss the “sensitive” subject.
Senators voted “nay” when the motion to enter the closed-door session was put to a voice vote, preferring to discuss the issue in plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio then invited Oshiomhole to approach the chair, from following a brief conversation, Akpabio encouraged Oshiomhole to provide his own take on the subject.
In his statement, Oshiomhole apologized for his statements, stating that he had defended the Senate rather than accuse the members of the 9th Senate of looting their offices during the television appearance.
Oshiomole said, “I didn’t address social media; I spoke with a respected TV station. The question was put to me by the TV host as to what justified the appropriation of N70bn for the comfort of the National Assembly members.
“The allegation was made by the TV host, at no time have I ever said the senators looted their offices.
“Having listened to my explanation, that was not the intention and that was not my statement and to those who think I have offended them, I apologise because I cannot leave my home and go to the media to abuse anybody.”
