ABUJA: The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to disclose the “exact amount of monthly running costs” allotted to members of the National Assembly.
This data was revealed in a statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare on August 17, 2024.
Considering the recent controversy over legislators fixing their wages by themselves, the group is making this demand from the bothe Red and Green chambers of the Assembly,
The Revenue Mobil Allocation and Fiscal Commission disputed the statement claimed by former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani, who stated that senators get more than N13 million a month.
SERAP added, “The constitutional oath of office of lawmakers requires them to ensure transparency and accountability in the exact amounts of salaries, allowances and running costs they received
The letter, read in part: “The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its own salaries, allowances and running costs.”
“This information was revealed in a statement signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare on August 17, 2024, and provided to Channels Television on August 18.
The claim given by former senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna Central that senators earn more than N13 million a month has been debunked by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
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“Public officials, including lawmakers, are legally obligated to fulfill and carry out their official responsibilities honestly and faithfully by virtue of the nation’s international legal obligations, especially as outlined by the UN Convention against Corruption.”
Article 8, paragraph 1, of the convention expressly mandates that members encourage transparency, fairness, and integrity in the handling of public resources.
“Nigerians have the right to investigate how politicians use the commonwealth and their tax money. Nigerians are also entitled to dependable and honest service from their public servants, especially politicians.
Furthermore, it is very evident given the allegations that members are misusing their offiices.
“It would show that the Senate and House of Representatives under your leadership can focus on serving the public interest of Nigerians rather than looking after themselves.”
“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials including lawmakers to abstain from all improper acts, such as fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs, that are inconsistent with the public trust.”
“The National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to combat abuse in its own spending if it is to effectively exercise its oversight functions and hold the government to account.”
“It is a travesty and a fundamental breach of their duties for members of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries, allowances and running costs.”
“By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly is obligated to show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold itself to account in the management of public resources.”
“In the Seventh Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, legislators shall commit to strive to ‘preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles and guidelines contained in the Constitution’, [and to] perform their ‘functions honestly, faithfully’, to act ‘always in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria’.”
“Lawmakers also commit ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria; and abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.’”
“‘Public function’ means activities in the public interest, not against it. The reports that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs amount to private self-interest or self-dealing. It is also detrimental to the public interest.”
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs. The running costs are reportedly paid directly into the personal accounts of members.”
The group expressed concern over the practice of lawmakers setting their own salaries, benefits, and operating expenses. It also expressed concern over the transparency of this practice and the fact that lawmakers have spent millions of naira on running expenses
“Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed in an interview with BBC Hausa that each Nigerian senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.”
“Mr Sumaila reportedly said, ‘My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000. Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.’”
“According to reports, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).”
