By Nuel Suji, Abuja.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara has said he neither own a private jet nor use public fund to fly one to Delta state in his recent visit.
Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper had reported Dogara’s visit to Delta on a private jet.
But media adviser to the speaker, Hassan Turaki, confirmed in a statement that though the Speaker flew to Delta on a private visit, the expenses were fully bore by him.
“Attention of the office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker Yakubu Dogara has been drawn to a story published by online news portal Sahara Reporters about a private visit to Delta State embarked upon by the Speaker,” Turaki stated.
Adding, “We wish to state for the records that Hon. Speaker was invited to Delta State by Evang. Hon. Mrs. J.O. Mrakpor representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State to help commission a church she built.”
The statement continued, “Evang. Mrakpor has in the past built three churches and she just finished building the fourth one in her community in fulfilment of the promise she made to God before the 2015 elections that she will build a church for the community if God gives her victory.
“Being a private visit, Mr. Speaker in company of some of his colleagues including Muslim members of the House, attended the church service where the new church and not just an ‘altar’ was commissioned and prayers were offered for the restoration of peace in Nigeria.
“For the record: Mr. Speaker does not own a private jet. Mr. Speaker personally paid for the cost of the trip to Delta State and did not take a single dime from official coffers, being a private visit.”
He urged “online and conventional media organisations” to always check their facts before going to press.
