Some Nigerian lawyers have reacted to a recent revelation of N13.5 million “running cost” allowance that senators receive monthly.
The revelation, which was made by Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) stirred up mixed reactions not only among the electorate but the lawmakers as well.
Sani had in an interview with TheNews revealed that he and his colleagues receive N13.5 million monthly as “running cost”, aside a N750, 000 monthly consolidated salary and allowances which they also receive.
Sani’s revelation is the first by a lawmaker from the Senate since the clamour by Nigerians for a full disclosure of lawmakers’ earnings.
The money is illegal as it is not approved by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). It is also separate from the salaries and allowances approved by RMAFC which, Sani says, totals about N750,000 monthly.
Following this revelation, some lawmakers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES but asked not to be named said the revelation by Sani had damaged the reputation of the federal legislature while possibly pitting constituents against their representatives.
The aggrieved senators and members of the House of Representatives said some of their colleagues were already discreetly working out modalities to deal with the Kaduna lawmaker.
The lawmakers vowed to take necessary steps to make the next one year difficult for the outspoken Kaduna senator. Read more