Politicians paid $100k visits to Aso Rock

Senator Babafemi Ojudu

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has revealed that under previous administrations, a chief or politician who pays a visit to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa is handed $100,000 or $50,000 when leaving.

Speaking in an interview with Leadership newspapers, the presidency official, however, pointed out that his principal has put a stop to the practice as such cash gifts are now diverted into productive services and the provision of infrastructure.

In the words of Ojudu, “In the past, somebody would come to Aso Rock, a chief or a politician. And they package $100,000, $50,000 for him. The man gets back to his hotel room, dashes his driver $500, dashes his PA $1,000, his girl friend $200. This has stopped. Such money must go into productive services, medical services, infrastructure etc.

“Let’s do something that is enduring for our people. All these stop gap measures, going as subsidies, we’re going to stop them. Let’s make our refineries work. Don’t let us make millionaires of a few and poor people of millions.

“We also have to understand that people who are victims of the fight against corruption are trying to fight back. The Escravos that supplies gas has been damaged. Pipelines are being burst all over the place. We need to continue to appeal to our people to realise that this damage you’re doing, you’re doing it not to Buhari, not to Osinbajo, you’re doing it to yourself.”

Culled