The Senate has denied allegations that lawmakers in the Red Chamber receive N21 million monthly in salaries and allowances.
According to The PUNCH, this clarification was issued on Thursday by the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South, following claims made by Senator Sumaila Kawu.
During an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service on Wednesday, Senator Kawu stated that his monthly earnings, including salary and allowances, amount to a total of N21 million.
He further elaborated that his monthly salary, after deductions, is just over N600,000, with the initial gross being less than N1 million.
According to Kawu, the N21 million figure represents the monthly running costs allocated to each Senator.
However, Adaramodu, in a statement he personally signed, refuted Kawu’s claims, emphasizing that the running costs mentioned are entirely separate from the lawmakers’ salaries and personal allowances, which are determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.
Adaramodu stressed that these funds are strictly for the operation of Senators’ offices and are not part of their personal earnings.
Earlier, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu disclosed that the monthly salary and allowances for each Senator total N1,063,860.
Adaramodu reiterated this point, clarifying that running costs are allocated to support the daily operations of legislative offices and are subject to strict accountability measures.
Adaramodu expressed concern over the persistent narrative portraying the Senate as engaging in wasteful spending, stating, “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.”
He firmly stated, “For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to respond to obsolete allegations of phantom salaries and personal emoluments spuriously credited to Senators monthly.” He also highlighted that RMAFC, the government agency responsible for setting the salaries and allowances of political officeholders, has already disclosed the accurate figures for Senators’ monthly earnings.
Adaramodu emphasized that all arms of government, including governors, ministers, and various officials, operate with running costs allocated for the smooth functioning of their offices, and the National Assembly is no different.
He clarified, “The funds referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila are neither his salary nor personal allowance.”
He further explained that these running costs cover expenses related to the daily operations of Senators’ offices, the employment of constituency office staff, oversight responsibilities, and community engagement activities.
These funds are accounted for in the annual budget and must be justified with proof of legitimate expenditure, ensuring they are not misused as personal income for legislators.
In conclusion, Adaramodu asserted, “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.”
