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A former
commissioner for agricuture and natural resources in the defunct Bendel
State, Eddy Ehi Osifo, has criticised the Senate spokesperson, Ayogu
Eze, over his reaction to Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s
recent comment on the high cost of running the National Assembly.

Mr. Sanusi had, at
the 8th convocation ceremony of Igbinedion University, Okada, last
weekend, alleged that the National Assembly alone consumes 25 percent
of the nation’s annual budget.

Mr. Osifo, a close
associate of late Obafemi Awolowo, described Mr. Eze as being ignorant
of simple English language, as was used by the CBN governor in
explaining the portion of the budget that goes to the National Assembly.

“The CBN governor
did not say that the National Assembly gulps 25 percent of the national
budget. There is a difference between the national budget, which is the
TOTAL budget, and recurrent expenditure, which is a portion the budget
as represented by the overhead cost of running the government.

“Ayogu Eze is
typical of the deceitful Nigerian who uses crooked arguments to cover
up real facts. This is unbecoming of an honourable member who claims to
be an experienced lawmaker. Nigeria is suffering in their hands,” he
said.

Mr. Osifo called
on President Jonathan and all concerned to, as a matter of urgency,
review the monthly salary and allowances of the national legislators
before a new set of legislators are elected and sworn-in next year.