In a shocking revelation, the Nigerian Senate has confirmed that its members receive a staggering sum of ₦13.5 million monthly as “running cost,” separate from their approved monthly salaries. This revelation, made by Senator Shehu Sani, has sparked outrage among the Nigerian public, as it is deemed illegal and not approved by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
According to the spokesperson of the Senate, Aliyu Abdullahi, the sum of ₦13.5 million is clearly stated in the National Assembly budget, which has been released to the public. Abdullahi further defended the practice, stating that running costs are allocated to all political offices and are separate from their salaries. He argued that if people had scrutinized the National Assembly budget, they would have noticed various line items such as traveling, medicals, and consultancy, which were funds divided for each senator’s use.
However, it is worth noting that the budget had no subhead for office running costs, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of these funds. This revelation has ignited a wave of criticism from the Nigerian public, who are already burdened by economic challenges and struggling to make ends meet.
The news of senators receiving such exorbitant amounts of money has elicited strong reactions from the public. Many Nigerians are expressing their frustration and disappointment with the state of affairs in the country. Some have called for a revolution, emphasizing the need for the masses to unite and demand a review of these allowances. Others have highlighted the stark contrast between the wealth of politicians and the poverty experienced by the majority of Nigerians.
This revelation once again brings to the forefront the issue of corruption and the misuse of public funds by political officeholders. It raises questions about the priorities of the Nigerian government and the widening gap between the political elite and the ordinary citizens.