The Nigerian Senate has described a comment attributed to the former Nigeria’s President, Olusegum Obasanjo, suggesting that its members fixed their salaries and allowances as “satanic.”
The Senate insisted that it is not involved in determining its own salaries or receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency.
In a statement by Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South, the Senate said that Obasajo’s comment is an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.”
Senator Adaramodu stressed that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency, saying that the constituency projects often linked to the legislature are merely suggested and nominated by Senators, as is the practice in other democracies worldwide.
The Senate stressed that it only receives the salary allocated to it by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The Senate challenged anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts, describing any suggestion that the National Assembly fixes its own salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.”
The Senate explained: “the Executive arm of government, through its various Ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for the constituency projects. The funds allocated for these projects vary depending on the number of constituencies in each state and the intention is to ensure that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources.”
Senator Adaramodu assured the public that the 10th Assembly remains a “responsible and responsive chamber.”
The Senate expressed its commitment to upholding the economy and growth of Nigeria, insisting that it only receives what is constitutionally allocated to it and would never seek additional perks from other branches of government.
Obasajo had described as “immoral” for members of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries and all kinds of allowances in a country where citizens are constantly being asked to sacrifice.
Obasajo spoke when members of the House of Representatives visited him in his Otta country home.
