The lawmaker representing Abia North in the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has revealed that he earns a total of ₦14 million per month as a Senator.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the Senator dismissed the widespread belief that lawmakers are living in luxury while ordinary Nigerians struggle in poverty.
“I earn ₦14 million for everything in a month. That includes everything—overheads, staff salaries, everything,” Uzor Kalu explained.
The former governor of Abia State argued that the ₦14 million is insufficient to cover expenses such as fuel for travelling to his constituency and maintaining his constituency office, among other responsibilities.
No official vehicles for lawmakers
One of the most controversial issues frequently raised about the National Assembly is the perception that lawmakers receive luxury cars as official vehicles.
However, Senator Uzor Kalu refuted these claims, stating that only National Assembly committees receive vehicles, not individual lawmakers.
“I am in the Senate, and many things are said about the Senators. I sit quietly and listen, but most of these things are untrue. What I do know is that committees get vehicles; no lawmaker is given any vehicle,” he clarified.
Economic challenges in Nigeria
Addressing the economic difficulties facing the country, Senator Uzor Kalu stated that Nigeria is not alone in grappling with these challenges, attributing some of the issues to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the reason other countries have moved on more effectively is due to their long-standing robust economies.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the country’s economic instability and is taking steps to address these challenges.
“The President himself knows that Nigerians are suffering and hungry. He’s a man of the people and understands the situation on the ground.
“Some nights, the President drives around Abuja to see what’s really happening,” Kalu said.