The political landscape has erupted in controversy following a bombshell revelation by Senator Sumaila Kawu, who represents Kano South Senatorial District: he takes home over N21 million monthly. This staggering figure has ignited a firestorm of debate and disbelief across the nation.
In a candid conversation, a lawmaker from North Central—who requested anonymity—echoed the divisive sentiments. “While I can’t dispute Senator Kawu’s claim, the truth is, salaries in the 10th Senate are far from uniform,” he stated. “In this parliament, it’s loyalty that pays. Some senators are pocketing far more, especially those who align closely with the leadership of the senate, while others are left to scrape by.”
He elaborated, “It’s a well-known fact: those who supported the senate president enjoy a more lucrative pay package. Furthermore, the chairpersons of ‘juicy’ committees are raking in sums that those on less prestigious committees can only dream of. It’s a tangled web, making it nearly impossible to pin down a definitive salary for any one member.”
Background
Senator Kawu’s explosive disclosure surfaced just a day after the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) stated that each senator supposedly earns N1.06 million monthly in salary and allowances.
RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu clarified these figures amidst rampant speculation. According to his breakdown, that would amount to N12.72 million per lawmaker annually, totaling an eye-watering N1.4 billion in taxpayer expenditure for all senators.
A detailed look at the earnings reveals that every senator receives a monthly remuneration that breaks down into the following: a basic salary of N168,866.70, alongside allowances for vehicle maintenance, personal assistants, domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, and more, culminates in a seemingly modest sum—yet the reality speaks volumes.
In a statement underscoring the need for transparency, Shehu urged citizens and the international community alike to seek clarity through the RMAFC website: www.rmafc.gov.ng, cautioning against misinformation regarding any hidden funds politicians might enjoy.
However, Senator Kawu contradicted the reported figures in an interview with the British Broadcasting Hausa Service, revealing that despite his official salary nearing N1 million, his total monthly package balloons to N21 million—far from the RMAFC’s numbers.
This discrepancy has thrust the issue of lawmakers’ compensation back into the spotlight. Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo chastised sitting lawmakers, stating it is grossly inappropriate for them to determine their own salaries and allowances. “You are crossing moral lines, yet you flaunt it,” he said, alluding to undisclosed excesses that senators approve for themselves.
Former Senator Shehu Sani added fuel to the fire, alleging that each senator discreetly collects a staggering monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to prescribed allowances.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the murky waters of political salaries are far from transparent, and the people are left questioning who truly benefits in this complicated equation.
