Deputy Senate Leader and Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial zone, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has dared former President Olusegun Obasanjo to prove issues of integrity and corruption he raised against members of the National Assembly.

Obasanjo had said that, the recent revelation about the 2016 Budget padding has confirmed his stance that the National Assembly is host to corrupt people.

But Na’Allah, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, said he respectfully took exception to the statement, expressing hope that, it is not true. The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to a purported statement attributed to former president Olusegun Obasanjo in which it was alleged that, he made a sweeping statement to the effect that there are no men of integrity in the National Assembly.

“I am respectfully taking exception to the statement, which I hope is not true.

“To start with, it is not in my character to join issues with elder statesmen, who have had the privilege of superintending over the affairs of our great country, Nigeria.

“This exception has become necessary in view of the enormity of the alleged statement to my person and integrity.”

The lawmaker said if former President Obasanjo could come out with one proven record of corruption against him as a person, he will vacate his seat as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His words: “For the records, I was the only member from Kebbi State who did not find it worthy at that time of collecting the sum of N50 million as an inducement to subvert the constitution and provide a constitutional framework for the third term ambition of president Obasanjo.

“I find this statement if it is true to be reckless and terrifying.

“The implications of the statement, is to say that the entire over 170 million Nigerians have not elected a single person with integrity among the 469 members of the National Assembly.

“This is definitely rhapsodic and does not conform to common sense and reason.”

•Photo shows Deputy Senate Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah.

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