Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the National Assembly members did not embezzle the money budgeted for the rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex, due to the leakage of the complex’s roof.
He lamented that people had erroneously believed that N37billion earlier earmarked for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex and later cut to N9.2billion had been collected and embezzled by the lawmakers.
He said people often fail to give credit to the institution when it delivers on critical legislation to advance the development of the country.
He, therefore, urged members of the public who have access to the media to help democracy to prosper in Nigeria by saying the truth.
The Senate President made these assertions in his keynote address at the Conference of Presiding Officers of the Nigerian Legislature which began in Abuja on Friday night.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Ola Awoniyi, the theme of the conference which is yet ongoing is: “Public perception of the role of the legislature: Post legislative scrutiny and independence of the legislature.”
Lawan spoke against the backdrop of the attack on Federal lawmakers and misinformation that followed the recent leakage of the roof of the National Assembly complex.
“This is one demonstration and testimony of misperception of the legislature. As I speak, this is still going through the procurement process.
“But you know what, when there was leakage, some of these critics and haters and traducers of the National Assembly said the National Assembly had spent the money.
“They have finished the rehabilitation. Look at what is happening. They didn’t even care to find out what really happened. So they went to town.
“Without this legislature, there is no democracy. The National Assembly and legislature across the country are people’s institutions.
“Not members of the National Assembly’s institution or State Assembly members’ institution. It is the public. It’s the people.
“So, I will always advise that members of the public, especially those minority who have access to media should please help our democracy prosper. Tell the true story. Inform correctly. Publicise rightly. We welcome criticisms,” Lawan said.
