The Senate has rebuked former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent assertion that members of the National Assembly fix their own salaries and allowances.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson for the Senate, described Obasanjo’s claims as not only inaccurate but also uncharitable, stressing that the National Assembly has no role in determining its remuneration.
On Friday, Obasanjo had criticized the practice of lawmakers determining their pay, labeling it as “immoral” and against the principles of good governance.
The former president emphasized that it is the exclusive duty of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to decide the earnings of public office holders.
Responding to these accusations, Adaramodu clarified that both senators and members of the House of Representatives receive only what has been constitutionally allocated by the RMAFC.
He vehemently denied any involvement of the lawmakers in the determination of their salaries, challenging anyone with contrary evidence to present it.
“The Nigerian Senate is petrified by the tattling story of determining its own salaries and receiving a special fiscal package from the Presidency,” Adaramodu said.
He noted that the claim, which was amplified during a visit by some House of Representatives members to Obasanjo, is baseless and misinformed.
The Senate spokesperson addressed the issue of constituency projects, stating that lawmakers only nominate these projects, with no role in their execution.
He explained that the amounts allocated vary based on the number of constituencies within each state, emphasizing that the intent is to ensure federal presence across all regions of Nigeria.
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