The Nigerian Senate has said that former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s claims that lawmakers set their own salaries or get special money from the Presidency are not true.
Senate Spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, released a statement on the Senate’s X account on Sunday, saying that these accusations are false.
He highlighted that no Senator has gotten any money or favors from the Presidency.
He also explained that the constituency projects, like building schools or hospitals, are suggested by Senators, just like in other democratic countries. These are not personal projects but meant to help their communities.
The Senate asked anyone with real proof to show it, saying that claims about lawmakers setting their own salaries are simply not nice and harmful.
What the Senate Said
In response to Obasanjo’s claims, the Senate said:
“To be clear, the Senate only gets the salary given by the Revenue Mobilization Fiscal Allocation Commission, as per the constitution.
“We challenge anyone with real proof to show it. Saying we set our own pay is just mean and wrong.”
The Senate also said that “The Executive, meaning the President and his team, through various Ministries and agencies, gives out the contracts for these community projects. The money for these projects is different based on the number of areas needing help in each state. This ensures that every part of Nigeria gets a share of federal resources.”, the statement added.
Backstory
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had earlier criticized members of the Senate and House of Representatives for independently determining their own salaries, saying it’s both wrong and against the law.
He said this on Friday, August 9, when he met with six members of the House of Representatives, led by Ugochinyere Ikenga, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo accused the executive branch of giving to the legislature what isn’t theirs, and mentioned that lawmakers have always accepted these benefits.
He said this is one of the leadership problems in the country. The former president claimed that each lawmaker got N200 million and took it, saying it is wrong for them to set their own salaries.
Obasanjo also asked President Tinubu to listen to the youth, saying their concerns are valid.