N’Assembly pushes back on pay storm as Obi, others flay cost of governance

By Azimazi Momoh Jimoh  and John Akubo (Abuja), Silver Nwokoro (Lagos) and Rotimi Agboluaje (Ibadan)

12 August 2024   |   4:36 am

•Senate faults alleged ‘immoral’ allowances, Reps insist monthly pay is N600,000 
• ‘Lawmaker who displayed N936,979 alert on TV misled Nigerians’
• Obi: Leaders must reflect on people’s cries, address legitimate demands
• Reduce waste, prioritise Nigerians’ welfare, HEDA tells Tinubu 
• Don’t let citizens suffer continually, reduce emoluments, Akinfenwa tells politicians

Besides the strenuous task of making laws for Nigeria, the National Assembly has lately been burdened with the additional responsibility of explaining to citizens what they ought not to believe about what federal legislators earn. 
   
After weeks of controversies regarding an alleged N14.4 million allowance paid to each senator, the Senate yesterday claimed it doesn’t fix its salaries.
   
The allowances reportedly cover travel, stationery, newspapers, printing of non-security documents, vehicle maintenance, office equipment maintenance, local and international training, motor vehicle fuel, refreshments and meals, postage, and courier services.  
   
The Senate’s latest claim contradicted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement that the National Assembly illegally and immorally fixes its earnings. 
 During a visit by some members of the House of Representatives to Abeokuta, Obasanjo accused lawmakers of fixing their earnings against the dictates of morality. 

   
He said: “In your case, with all due respect, you’re not supposed to fix your salaries. But you decide what you pay yourself, the allowances you give yourself, newspaper allowances. You give yourself all sorts of things and know it is not right. It is immoral. You’re doing it, the Senate is doing it, and you beat your chest. Sometimes, the executive gives you what you’re not entitled to. You all got N200 million.”
   
The allegation re-awakened public awareness about earlier reports that each lawmaker in the National Assembly was collecting an allowance of N14.8 million.  
    
However, yesterday, the Senate issued a statement denying involvement in determining its salaries or receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency.  
   
In a statement released by its spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate described the allegations as an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.”
   
Adaramodu emphasised that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency.   He clarified that the constituency projects often linked to the legislature are merely suggested and nominated by senators, which is in line with practices common in democracies worldwide.
   
The senate said it only receives the salary allocated by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) in strict compliance with constitutional provisions. 
   
It challenged anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts, describing any suggestion that the National Assembly fixes its salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.”
   
It explained: “The executive arm of government, through its various ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects. The funds allocated for these projects vary depending on the number of constituencies in each state, and the intention is to ensure that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources.”
   
As the country enters what some describe as a “season of political pontificating,” the Senate assured the public that it remains a “responsible and responsive chamber.”
   
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s economy and growth, insisting that it only receives what is constitutionally allocated to it and will never seek additional perks from other branches of government.

SIMILARLY, the National Assembly spokesman, Akin Rotimi, clarified that members of the House of Representatives earn N600,000 monthly, notwithstanding Uzokwe Ifeanyi, the lawmaker representing Nnewi South Federal Constituency, displaying an alert of N936,979.53 on national television last week.
   
Ifeanyi had revealed a salary notification of N936,979.53 for July while appearing on Channels Television last week, inadvertently stoking the long-running controversy about the real pay of legislators.
   
Offering clarifications in a statement at the weekend, Rotimi said Ifeanyi was uninformed and unauthorised to disclose such information.  He explained that Ifeanyi’s higher pay was due to special circumstances surrounding his late assumption of office.
   
“The actual monthly salary for honourable members is N600,000, after deductions for advances such as housing, which are paid at the commencement of the tenure,” Rotimi said.
   
“The honourable member who displayed his salary on a TV programme is an exceptional case, as he assumed office through a court decision many months after the onboarding process was concluded.”  Rotimi maintained that Ifeanyi’s salary for July was that high due to the addition of allowances he should have received had he not assumed his role late.
   
During a plenary session on July 18, 2024, the lower chamber pledged to donate half of their monthly salaries for six months to help combat hunger in Nigeria. They said they earned N600,000 monthly and pledged to contribute N300,000 each: something they have not yet done.

   
However, Ifeanyi’s revelation led to the conclusion that the lawmakers had understated their salaries. Despite Rotimi’s insistence, though, RMFAC lists lawmakers’ salaries at N794,086 monthly each.
   
Rotimi also restated the chamber’s commitment to fulfilling its 50 per cent donation promise, saying: “This delay in implementation was due to necessary administrative procedures and coordination with financial institutions. Instructions for adjusting salaries have since been issued and will be enforced to ensure our pledge is fully realised.”
   
THIS came as the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, said the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which ended on Saturday, are a call on Nigerian leaders to reflect deeply on the country’s growing poverty and take steps to address it.
   
Writing on his X handle yesterday, Obi said: “I want to take this moment to urge all leaders to reflect on the cries of the suffering people and address their legitimate demands. It is crucial for us, the leaders, to urgently address the issues that sparked and fueled these protests.
  
 “Addressing insecurity, fighting corruption, alleviating hardship, and combating poverty are urgent matters that require immediate attention. I call on all leaders to take decisive action to resolve these critical issues. 
   
Obi added: “With the #EndBadGovernance protests officially concluded, I want to once again express my deepest condolences to all who lost their lives, including security personnel, during these protests.
   
“These individuals gave their lives while advocating for better governance in our nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all the families who have suffered losses in this struggle. We all share in your grief as we work together for the betterment of our country.
   
“May we all find the strength to endure this irreplaceable loss. To those who are wounded and recovering in hospitals and at home, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you for a swift recovery. Your sacrifices for our nation’s cause are deeply appreciated… May the deceased rest in peace, and may the injured recover fully and swiftly. A New Nigeria remains Possible.”
   
RELATEDLY, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to take decisive actions in response to the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
   
The anti-corruption group also urged the President to seize the moment to implement measures to curb wasteful spending and ensure that public resources are managed with the utmost integrity.
  
 HEDA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the 10-day protests amplified the voices of millions of Nigerians demanding transparency, accountability, and truly representative and accountable governments.
   
It said: “These widespread protests call for reform and present a unique opportunity for the governments to make meaningful changes that will not only address the immediate concerns of the protesters but also lay the foundation for sustainable development and good governance in Nigeria.
  
 “The excessive cost of governance has long been a burden on the nation’s economy, diverting much-needed resources from critical sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure. Now is the time for governments at all levels to demonstrate commitment to the people by adopting policies that promote transparency, reduce waste, and prioritise the welfare of all Nigerians.”
   
HEDA called on governors to take similar steps at the state and local government levels, noting that state governments must review their budgets, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and establish mechanisms to hold public officials accountable.
  
 ALSO, the Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, the Most Rev Joseph Akinfenwa, at the weekend, called on Nigerian leaders to stop punishing the citizens, saying leaders must lead by example, evolve solutions to the nation’s problems, and reduce their emoluments.
  
 Akinfenwa disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of the funeral service for Prof. Emeritus Ayodeji Banjo at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
   
He said: “Once you accept to lead this country, then you must make us happy. You must not let people sleep with hunger. People must not be pushed to the wall to begin to fight back.
   
“Reduce your salaries and emoluments, remove all these flashy things you are doing, we will cooperate, and we will manage. But when the leadership is not leading by example, people will not be happy. The hunger is too much, and people are suffering. Let the leaders be transparent. Anyone in the leadership position must lead by the fear of God. We plead with our leaders to rethink and go back to the drawing board to deal with the hunger and suffering. Let them go back to the drawing board and bring out solutions.”