Obasanjo warns Buhari over NASS

• Says only men, women of integrity should be legislatures

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors at the presidential villa, Abuja on Monday, admonishing the president to be careful over what the National Assembly offers him as budget.

He came into the villa for the meeting at about noon and when he emerged; he told State House correspondents that he was there to pass on some messages from his recent travels to some African countries.

But when asked about his views on the development at the National Assembly, which he had famously referred to as corrupt, he said there was the need to ensure that only men and women of integrity found their way to the legislature while the president must be vigilant over what the lawmakers pass to him as the budget.

Put to him that he must be worried about report of corruption in the National Assembly, which he previously highlighted, he said: “Well, if you said that I have said it in the past and if they are people who didn’t believe what I said ‎in the past then you now say that what has come out confirms what I said in the past, then, you can say what I said in the past is what I will say now.”

Asked whether he would prefer an investigation into the affairs of the legislature over alleged padding of the 2016 budget, the former president remarked: “‎It’s not question of investigation.

“We should get men and women of integrity in the place and the president should be very vigilant. Whatever should not pass should not pass.”

On his mission to the villa, Obasanjo explained that he had some messages for the president.

He said: “I am visiting this time because I have some messages for the president.

“Not too long ago, I was in Liberia and Gambia and I have messages these two countries will want me to deliver to the president.

“Also, only yesterday (Sunday) I came back from Seychelles Island where I attended this year’s Annual General Meeting of Africa Export Development Bank. And there are aspects of the proceedings that I think I should update the President.”

On his frequent travels abroad, Obasanjo indicated that he was enjoying it and would not be changing the pattern soon.

“Travelling is a good education, what you will learn about a country by visiting that country for two or three days you won’t learn by reading through books,” he stated.

On nether he intended to slow down, the former president replied: “May God not allow you to slow now.”