EXCLUSIVE REPORT ON WHY FINANCE MINISTER HAS BEEN DOING LAWMAKERS BIDDINGS

By: Jumoke Olasoji

In April, details of controversial release of N10 billion to the National Assembly by the Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun was reported , an amount that was wasted on exotic cars and dubious contracts given to companies that were not even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Also In June, it was reported how the minister spent about N12 billion to finance projects the presidency wanted removed from the 2017 budget.

This action from the minister ofcourse generated uproar nationwide, especially among civil society activists who wondered the motive of such curious financial relationship with federal lawmakers and the minister.

After months of asking questions, Insights as to why the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has been exceptionally generous in approving and channeling billions of naira to federal lawmakers has emerged.

At least five senators who spoke on this issue said the abnormal actions of the minister were activated by the top echelon of the legislature.

“We have never had a finance minister so generous to the National Assembly,” one senator said. “But it is not for nothing. The truth is we were able to dig up something unsavoury about her and our leaders are holding her by the jugular.”

One ranking senator simply said, “The minister is being gagged by our people”.

He however said he was not sure what his colleagues were using to “gag” the minister.
Yet another senator said, “What I am aware of is some of our people said they have an ammunition they can use to silence her. That has given way for the leadership (of the National Assembly) to intimidate her, knowing that they could get her out of her job if she doesn’t cooperate.”

Another ranking senator, who also asked not to be named, said Mrs Adeosun was indeed being blackmailed by lawmakers.

“Not everything is out in the public because every single one of us are beneficiaries of this situation,” he said. “But I can tell you the woman is being harassed and blackmailed into doing many things she would ordinarily not do. She is helpless in the hands of our people.”
The minister is said to be afraid of being exposed or investigated by the legislative body, which may lead to her losing her position.

It’s also learnt that the real “ammunition” is known only by a few high profile leaders of the National Assembly who have turned it into what an official called “a secret tool for extortion.”
But when contacted, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the finance minister was not being blackmailed in any way.

“There is nothing like that and I am very sure of that,” Yusuph Olaniyonu, the spokesperson to Mr. Saraki, said.“If there is anything like that I would know. Oga will hint or she will tell me. There is absolutely nothing like that. It is not true.”

Mr. Olaniyonu described Mrs Adeosun as the “most cooperating minister” who answers lawmakers’ summons at all times. But he insisted that her conduct was not because of fear of any blackmail.

The spokesperson to the finance minister, Oluyinka Akintunde, also denied his boss was being blackmailed by lawmakers.

“I wish to state that there is no such thing,” Mr. Akintunde said. “The Honourable Minister has always operated within the ambit of the law in the discharge of her responsibilities.”

This newspaper is however working hard to uncover what the real “ammunition” being used against the minister is, and will provide updates as information becomes available.