The Nigerian Senate have sent a strong response to allegations it is involved in fixing salaries and allowances for members of the upper chamber of the national assembly. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was recently quoted accusing federal lawmakers of acting unconstitutionally by deciding their own remunerations at the country’s expense.
In response, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu in a statement on Sunday, said neither the Senate nor the National Assembly fixes their salaries.
He said that any suggestion contrary was “uncharitable and satanic.”
Adaramodu said: “The Nigerian Senate is petrified by the tattling story of determining its own salaries and receiving a special fiscal package from the Presidency.
“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 Mobilization 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. Any suggestions contrary is uncharitable and satanic.
“It’s only an attempt to crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.
“It’s pertinent to inform the unsuspecting public that no Senator has received any monetary patronage from the Presidency.
“The mischievously touted consistency projects are not for the legislators. They are only suggested and nominated by the Legislators in accordance with the practice in other Democracies worldwide while the executive arm awards the contracts to qualified contractors and ensures the implementation of the projects through its respective Ministries and agencies.
“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.
“We are actually in a season of political pontificating when irreverent scaremongering takes prominence.
“The 10th Senate is a responsible and responsive chamber, hence would not do anything that can harm the economy and growth of Nigeria, it thus receives only what the relevant agency of government constitutionally allocates to it. And would never solicit for extra ludicrous perks from the other arms of government.”