In a startling revelation, it has emerged that the total monthly pay of 99 non-principal officers of the Nigerian Senate amounts to a staggering N2 billion.
Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano) confirmed that he receives about N21 million monthly as his perquisite for representing the people of Kano South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly. However, he stated that he is unaware of the exact amounts received by the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, and the eight other principal officers.
Based on Senator Sumaila’s disclosure, the total monthly package for all the 99 non-principal officers of the Senate amounts to a whopping N2.079 billion.
The 10 principal officers of the 10th Senate are: President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President, Jibrin Barau; Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Deputy Majority Leader, Lola Ashiru; Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno; Deputy Chief Whip, Nwebonyi Peter Onyeka; Minority Leader, Abba Moro; Deputy Minority Leader, Akogun Lere Oyewumi; Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu and Deputy Minority Whip, Rufai Hanga.
However, the actual earnings of these presiding officers of the National Assembly remain unknown, as previous attempts to obtain this information have been unsuccessful. The Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, did not respond to inquiries about the earnings of the principal officers.
This revelation has sparked renewed concerns and criticisms over the extravagant remuneration of federal lawmakers, particularly in the face of the economic hardships faced by the majority of Nigerians.
Civil society organizations and analysts have called for a critical reassessment of the legislators’ earnings, urging them to align their salaries and allowances with the realities of the Nigerian economy and the struggles of the common people.
The controversy over lawmakers’ pay is not new, as former members of parliament have previously disclosed different figures as their emoluments. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has also provided its own estimates, but the lack of transparency and accountability in this matter continues to fuel public outrage.
Experts and activists have stressed the urgent need for the National Assembly to address this issue and ensure that the cost of governance is brought in line with the nation’s economic realities and the welfare of the Nigerian people.
