Senate Defends Bogus Allowances; Says Govs, Ministers Receive Big Pay

The Nigerian Senate has reacted to the controversy sorrounding the emoluments of senators, considered by not a Nigerians to be outrageous in the face of the current economic realities in the country.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu said on Thursday that the issue has been overflogged, noting that senators are not different from other public officials like President, and governors who receive big pay.

He said a large part of what the lawmakers receive is used to run their offices, including salaries for their support staff and constituency allowances.

“This is not a personal allowance or salary for the legislator. These funds also support the staff of constituency offices,” Adaramodu said in a statement on Thursday.

Nigerian lawmakers in the National Assembly, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives are believed to be one of the highest paid legislators in the world.

They have come under severe scrutiny from not a few Nigerians who insist that their salaries and allowances be reduced.

The call has gained momemtum recently after former President Olusegun Obasanjo condemned the lawmakers for fixing their salaries and allowances, which he described as bogus.

Obasanjo had described the action to be ‘morally’ wrong.

Recall also that Senator Abdulrahmen Kawu Sumaila told the BBC Hausa Service that he earns a total of N21 million monthly salary and allowances, which he claimed every senators receive as running cost.

The minimum monthly wage for the Nigeria worker is N70,000.

Reacting to the controversy, Adaramodu  described the issue as an “outdated claims regarding inflated salaries and allowances attributed to senators,” stressing that the expenses of the National Assembly is barely one percent of the national Budget.

“The National Assembly accounts for about 1% of the federal budget and has consistently adhered to this limit, even amidst financial constraints. The Senate remains committed to serving the nation with integrity and dedication, driven by a patriotic desire to revitalise Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric,” Adaramodu said.