Senate denies Sumaila’s claim, insists N21m is neither personal salary nor personal allowance
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senator Kawu Sumaila’s claim of earning N21 million monthly in salary and allowances has been lampooned and denied by Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu, a counter argument that still obscures the real amount earned by lawmakers who kept it secret for years until former President Olusegun Obasanjo rattled them last week.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disclosed in July that Senators receive about N30 million a month in basic salary and allowances, which elicited public outrage amid hunger inflicted on other citizens by President Bola Tinubu’s poorly implemented policies.
Obasanjo kicked off the new firestorm on August 9 by telling visiting federal lawmakers to their face that it is “unconstitutional and immoral” for them to fix huge salaries and allowances for themselves in contravention of the law (that mandates only the RMAFC) to decide the emoluments of public office holders.
Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Chairman Muhammed Shehu reacted on Monday in a statement which announced that Senators earn N1,063,860 monthly as salary plus allowances, as fixed by the RMAFC.
Sumaila broke cover on Tuesday to contradict Shehu.
“My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000 …. Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets N21 million every month as running cost,” Sumaila told BBC Hausa.
Adaramodu issued another statement on Thursday and countered Sumaila’s claim.
“For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to respond to obsolete allegations of phantom salaries and personal emoluments spuriously credited to Senators monthly,” Adaramodu said.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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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Related articles:
Shehu Sani claims vindication with Sumaila exposing N21m Senate salary
Senator contradicts RMAFC, discloses he earns N21m allowances monthly
No Nigerian senator earns more than N1.1m, says RMAFC
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