‘Irreverent scaremongering,’ Senate blasts Obasanjo over claims of fixing salaries, allowance
The Senate says the national assembly is not responsible for fixing the salaries and allowances of lawmakers.
On Friday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said it was “immoral” for the national assembly members to determine their own salaries and allowances.
Obasanjo said it is the duty of the Revenue Mobilsation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to decide what public office holders earn.
But in a statement on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson of the senate, described the former president’s claim as “uncharitable”.
Adaramodu said senators and members of the house of representatives receive only what has been fixed by the RMAFC.
“The Nigerian Senate is petrified by the tattling story of determining its own salaries and receiving a special fiscal package from the Presidency,” he said.
“This sordid and telltale assertion was amplified during a visit of a group of House of Representatives members to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“To straighten the records, the Senate receives only the salary allocated constitutionally by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission.
“We challenge anyone who is privileged, either in qualified or absolute position to bring forth any contrary fact. The Senators or the National Assembly do not and cannot fix their salaries.
The senate spokesperson said constituency projects are only nominated by lawmakers and they do not have any business in the execution.
“And the amount varies depending on the number of constituencies in each state of the federation. It’s merely a contribution to the Federal budget to ensure that every nook and cranny of Nigeria feels Federal presence,” he said.
“We are actually in a season of political pontificating when irreverent scaremongering takes prominence.”
Adaramodu said the senate would not do anything to harm the country’s economy because it is a “responsible and responsive chamber”.
