Opposition parties in Nigeria on Saturday said the police must probe budget padding allegations in the House of Representatives, playing down attempt by the All Progressives Congress to internally resolve the scandal.

In different interviews with Punch, the leadership of the Accord Party, Action Alliance, KOWA Party, Social Democratic Party, Advanced Congress of Democrats and the Labour Party stated this.

The National Secretary of Accord Party, Nureni Adisa, said the Federal Government has all the right to investigate the scandal.

He said, “The Nigeria Police’s probe of Dogara and Jibrin is to verify claims and counter claims by parties involved in the budget padding. The Federal Government has the prerogative to investigate the matter. There is nothing out of place in probing those involved in the crisis as long as it is handled in the right way.”

The National Secretary of the Advanced Congress of Democrats, Dr. Breakforth Onwubuya, said none of the lawmakers are above the law and so should be thoroughly investigated.

He said,“They (Dogara and Jibrin) are not above the law. The police’s probe is in order. There is nothing wrong with it. It is also important people understand that investigation is not prosecution. What I think the police are doing right now is to get to the root of the matter; they are separating wheat from chaff.”

The National Secretary of Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, also said the scandal should be probe, but wondered if it won’t be a waste of time like previous cases.

“Yes, I think there should be a probe, even if it is to establish whether an offence has been committed. Of course, this being Nigeria, one is bound to wonder if the investigation will not be a waste of time.” He added.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party,  Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said, “for the sake of clarity and transparency, the security agencies can investigate the allegations and whoever that is found guilty should be prosecuted.

The President, Civil Liberties Organisation, Igho Akeregha,said the APC had drifted from its campaign promises.

He said, “How can the APC come to power on a strong campaign to change the drift in the country now turn around in under two years to talk of settling alleged stealing of public funds within the party, as a family affair.”

The Chairman of Egalitarian Mission Africa, Kayode Ajulo, said the issues raised in the budget padding scandal were weighty and should not be swept under the carpet. He also said the scandal will be a test for the Buhari-led government in its fight against corruption.

He said, “The issues raised by Abdulmumin Jibrin in his petition, is a litmus test to know whether President Muhammadu Buhari, was really fighting this corruption. Nigerians will never allow the All Progressive Congress government to sweep the matter under the carpet.

“The police should seek legal advice on the issue from the AGF on what to do. The issue of budget padding is very weighty and everything now lies in the hands of the AGF to advise both the police and president Buhari on what to do on the matter”