There is no doubt that controversy has continued to trail the seeming secrecy surrounding the actual monthly earnings of members of the National Assembly. Since 1999, when the country returned to civil governance, virtually every session of the nation’s apex legislative Assembly has been enmeshed in this contentious accusation, defense, and counter-accusations over the actual earnings of the people’s elected representatives in the federal parliament.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently accused the nation’s lawmakers of fixing their salaries and allowances. He emphasized that it is the duty of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to determine public officers’ earnings, not for beneficiaries to fix their own compensation. In response, the Senate denied the allegation, describing it as an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.” The Senate clarified that they adhere strictly to the salary allocated by RMAFC and challenged anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts.
For transparency, RMAFC provided a statistical breakdown of the monthly salary and allowances for each senator. Here are the details:
- Basic Salary: N168,866.70
- Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance: N126,650.00
- Personal Assistant: N42,216.66
- Domestic Staff: N126,650.00
- Entertainment: N50,660.00
- Utilities: N50,660.00
- Newspapers/Periodicals: N25,330.00
- Wardrobe: N42,216.66
- House Maintenance: N8,443.33
- Constituency Allowance: N422,166.66
Despite these clarifications, the debate over legislative salaries and allowances remains a contentious issue, with calls for greater transparency and accountability. Advocacy groups continue to push for reforms that reflect present economic realities and promote responsible governance. The question remains: when will NASS members consider slashing their own compensation to align with public expectations?
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