The Senate has refuted claims that its members receive N21 million monthly in salaries and allowances.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said, “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.”
Adaramodu was responding to claims made by Senator Sumaila Kawu, who stated during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service on Wednesday that his monthly earnings, including salary and allowances, amount to N21 million.
Kawu explained that his monthly salary, after deductions, is just over N600,000, with the initial gross being less than N1 million. He clarified that the N21 million figure represents the monthly running costs allocated to each Senator.
However, Adaramodu emphasized 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.
He stated, “The funds referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila are neither his salary nor personal allowance.” These funds cover expenses related to the daily operations of Senators’ offices, constituency office staff, oversight responsibilities, and community engagement activities.
Adaramodu reiterated that the monthly salary and allowances for each Senator total N1,063,860, as disclosed by RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu. He expressed concern over the persistent narrative portraying the Senate as engaging in wasteful spending.
He said, “For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to respond to obsolete allegations of phantom salaries and personal emoluments spuriously credited to Senators monthly.”
The Senate spokesperson 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 concluded, “The National Assembly receives about 1% of the federal budget and has never exceeded this, even in times of widespread financial constraints.”
