A member of the House of Representatives from Kogi state has threatened to take legal action against a Nigerian residing in the UK for making allegations on social media about the salaries and allowances he receives as a sitting lawmaker.
During a plenary session, the lawmaker, Elder Leke Joseph Abejide, expressed his grievance, stating that a UK-based Nigerian named Adeola had alleged on social media that he and other lawmakers receive a basic salary of N2.5 million per month, a furniture allowance of N7.5 million per month, a newspaper allowance of N1.2 million per month, a wardrobe allowance of N631,000 per month, an accommodation allowance of N4.9 million per month, a utility allowance of N828,000 per month, and a personal assistance allowance of N621,000 per month.
Abejide further stated that the same person had alleged in December 2023 that a trailer of rice was given to lawmakers and asked Nigerians to ask for their own share from their lawmakers.
Condemning the allegations, Abejide said, “If this house does not take a stand on this case against her, I, Elder Leke Joseph Abejide, will take it up with her because, in my own constituency, this is what is now spreading around that I take this amount. I put up my salary for the world to see. What is there that we are hiding? We are not hiding anything in these hallowed chambers.”
Abejide also challenged the allegations, stating that some members of the House of Representatives cannot survive more than five days with their salaries, as the requests from their constituents have already exhausted their earnings.
The lawmaker vowed to take legal action against the UK-based Nigerian if the House of Representatives does not address the issue, stating that the allegations have breached his privilege and that of all members of the House.
