Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a blistering attack on Nigeria’s lawmakers, describing the current legislature as “much worse” than their counterparts in the First, Second, and Third Republics.

In his new book, Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision for Tomorrow, Obasanjo accused legislators of distorting the budget through constituency projects, which he labelled “daylight unarmed robbery” driven by “hunger for illegitimate money.”

Recounting his experience with the National Assembly as both a military leader and an elected president, Obasanjo said he found “no redeeming feature in them to build a Nigeria of our dream.”

He revealed that the passage of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bill dragged on for 18 months because lawmakers feared its original draft would land many of them in jail. According to him, he signed a watered-down version only to prevent the bill from being killed outright.

Obasanjo further alleged that legislators often manipulated bills for personal or political gain. He cited the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) law, claiming some oil-producing states bribed lawmakers to remove their financial obligations to the regional development fund.

On corruption, the former president accused the National Assembly of breaching the Constitution by fixing their own “obscene salaries and allowances,” making them among the highest paid lawmakers in the developing world. He recalled resisting the release of questionable funds during his presidency despite impeachment threats.

“Their worst action is their insatiable appetite for corruption,” Obasanjo wrote. “Constituency projects by lawmakers at national or state levels are daylight unarmed robbery. All involved must be treated as criminals.”

He also accused lawmakers of abusing oversight functions, alleging that committee visits to ministries, parastatals, and commissions were routinely exploited as avenues for extortion.