17th June, 2015
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East has stated that he is unaware of the alleged N9billion earmarked for wardrobe allowance of National Assembly members.
Murray-Bruce was reacting to calls by Nigerians that he sheds more light on the report. It would be recalled that Murray-Bruce has repeatedly said he would fight corruption and unnecessary spending by the National Assembly.
“I’m fighting the corrupt elite. I’m 59. You only live once. What do I tell God when I die? The worst they can do is to take me out, so what?,” Murray-Bruce wrote on his Twitter page on May 31.
I'm fighting the corrupt elite. I'm 59. You only live once. What do I tell God when I die? The worst they can do is to take me out, so what?
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 31, 2015
Responding to the hundreds of tweets directed to him on Tuesday, 16 June, Murray-Bruce said: “My attention had been drawn to news reports about intended payments to be made to federal legislators. To the best of my knowledge, these payments were not discussed at plenary or in private,” he wrote on Twitter.
Adding that: “My investigations establish that payments to be made are those independently decided upon by the RMAFC. There is such a thing as collective responsibility. As a senator, I share responsibility of decisions taken by the 8th Senate.”
He noted that he might not be able to stop his colleagues from enjoying the largesse. “I only control my actions. The best I can do is influence the actions of my colleagues in the Senate. Nations change over time not overnight”
“This fight can only be effective if I build coalitions with my colleagues. This fight will be dead on arrival if I alienate them,” he said, adding that, he was going to fight in the interest of Nigerians.
“Let me assure my constituents and the rest of Nigeria that I remain committed to fighting for their interests. I urge patience and understanding from all Nigerians even as I assure you that I, Ben Murray Bruce, will continue to be on your side,” he stated.