The Senate has refuted claims that lawmakers in the Red Chamber receive N21m in salaries and allowances.
The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), made
this clarification on Thursday in response to statements by Senator Sumaila
Kawu.
In an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa
Service on Wednesday, Kawu claimed that he earns a cumulative N21m monthly in
salary and allowances.
He also stated that his “monthly salary is less than N1
million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000.”
He further explained, “Given the increase effected in the
Senate, each Senator gets N21 million monthly as running cost.”
In a personally signed statement, Adaramodu emphasised that
running costs are distinct from the salary and personal allowances of
lawmakers, which the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission
sets.
Earlier, the RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, revealed that
each Senator receives a monthly salary and allowances totalling N1,063,860.
Adaramodu clarified that running costs are not unique to the
legislature and are used for the operation of their offices.
He stressed that “such funds are retired by relevant
officers after being used for official purposes and proof of genuine
expenditure.”
He added, “It’s not a personal allowance or salary of the
legislator.”
He also noted that these funds cover expenses for
constituency office staff.
Expressing concern over the narrative of wasteful spending
by parliament, Adaramodu stated, “The Nigerian Senate is an Assembly of
accomplished and successful professionals, administrators, and captains of
industry, who are not driven by these often touted egregious pecuniary bits,
but rather by their patriotic zeal in the nation’s quest to breathe life into Nigeria’s
political and socio-economic dry bones.
“For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to respond
to obsolete allegations of phantom salaries and personal emoluments spuriously
credited to Senators monthly.
“The Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, the
agency of government that fixes political officials’ salaries and allowances,
has duly disclosed the monthly personal take-home of Senators.”
He added, “However, all arms of government and their
personnel—governors, ministers, permanent secretaries, Directors-General, state
commissioners, and even boards and parastatals, including local government
councils—run their activities with running costs, and the National Assembly is
no exception.
“The funds referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila are neither
his salary nor personal allowance.”
Adaramodu further explained, “These funds are allocated for
the daily operation of Senators’ offices and other statutory officials. They
also provide for constituency office staff, oversight functions, and community
engagements.
“These funds are not static; they are provided for in the
annual budget and must be retired with proof of genuine expenditure. They are
not personal allowances or salaries for legislators.”
He concluded, “The National Assembly receives about 1% of
the federal budget and has never exceeded this, even in times of widespread
financial constraints. The Nigerian Senate is an Assembly of accomplished
professionals, administrators, and industry leaders, who are motivated by
patriotic zeal, not by financial gain.”
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