Imported User:
The deputy chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Victor Afam Ogene, yesterday said that the House of Representatives would not join issues with former president Olusegun Obasanjo and added that his statement that lawmakers were rogues and armed robbers was a bid to gain the relevance he has lost.
“Former president Obasanjo belongs to an institution, a club of former heads of state. The National Assembly is an institution created by law. If there are two groups of people that he has shown open disdain and dislike for, they are journalists and legislators. If the report that we all read is correct, then he has attempted to add two groups: Policemen and the Judiciary, and that is in his character.
“For me, I think former President Obasanjo is in search of some relevance and he thinks that the way to go about it is to take pot shots at the legislature. We won’t join issues with him but I think it is wrong for an elder to stand outside and pee into the house.
The normal practice in Africa is to go outside and pee, not to stand outside and pee into the house. But if you do that I am sure that children will be wondering the kind of elder you are”, he said.
Speaking during a press conference in the National Assembly, Ogene added, “Since I came here as a legislator, I have not heard stories of Ghana must go bags but when former President Obasanjo was in charge, nocturnal visits of Ghana must go bags were a routine in an attempt to buy the legislature.
And having failed especially with the last one over third term during which several millions of dollars were involved, I don’t think it is right for anybody to begin to have headache over whatever former president Obasanjo says”.
The lawmaker also said that the Ethics and Privileges committee would decide on the methodology it intends to use to carry out its investigation of the statement made by Obasanjo.
“The committee will determine whether it is necessary to invite him. It is not for me to say how they will go about their duties. And having been referred to the ethics and privileges committee, ordinarily that should suffice; we shouldn’t join issues with former President Obasanjo”.
