Public Affairs Commentator, Dr Felix Nwosu, speaks on the recent invitation of the Wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the EFCC for questioning on alleged corrupt practices. He spoke to EJIKEME OMENAZU

How do you see the recent invitation of former Kwara State First Lady, Toyin Saraki, the wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over alleged fraud while she was the Kwara State First Lady?

I see nothing wrong in the invitation of the former Kwara State First Lady by the EFCC for questioning Saraki's wife is like every other Nigerian. If the EFCC receives petition against her and the operatives find it necessary to question her, there is nothing wrong in that. Her husband being a Senate President does not make her superior to any other Nigerian and as such, she has the duty to appear before the EFCC officials to answer some relevant questions.

How would you react to the fact that Mrs Saraki was followed to the EFCC by a convoy of 25 members of National Assembly?

I see Saraki's wife going to the EFCC with those lawmakers as an abuse of power and intimidation. She thought she would intimidate the EFFCC officials with the presence of the senators. Could she have done that if her husband is not the Senate President? Her husband is no longer the governor of Kwara State. She is an accused who is trying to tell Nigerians that she is a first class citizen who is above the law and enjoys the solidarity of even the lawmakers in the nation's upper legislative chamber and commands a lot of influence. I see no wisdom in an accused and the senators using tax payers' money for a show. It does not make any sense to the right thinking Nigerians for someone who is being invited to clear herself of corrupt allegations to go to the EFCC in that manner. This is a clear evidence of wastage and wastage is another form of corruption which past administrations which she and her husband were part of, are being accused of. It is also part of the corrupt lifestyle, which Senator Ben Bruce spoke against in his "Common Sense" remarks on parade of convoys by public officers, which should stop.

The latest development is making people to wonder if the "Change" mantra, which brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power, is not just a campaign slogan and not the policy of the present administration in Nigeria, as Saraki, her husband, is now the Number Three citizen.

Is there any other evidence that a lot of those who occupy the Office of their First Lady used the position to promote corruption? The money used to fuel these vehicles used by the senators could have been used for something else more meaningful to society. After all, her invitation by the EFCC was only to clear herself. A clear conscience fears no accusation. If there is no skeleton in her cupboard, why the fear and panic that made her to seek the support of senators who her husband leads as President? Or, is she saying that the wife of a Senate President is above the law? Top government officials should lead by example. That is the "Change" Nigerians voted for and that is the "Change" Nigerians expect. If it is otherwise, it means that Nigerians voted in vain. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.