Politics

See Reasons Obasanjo Criticizes National Assembly

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 11th, 2024.

See Reasons Obasanjo Criticizes National Assembly

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the practice of National Assembly members determining their own salaries and allowances, calling it immoral.

Obasanjo made this statement on Friday while hosting several House of Representatives members in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital.

He argued that the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) should be responsible for setting the remuneration of public officials, not the officials themselves.

“With all due respect, members of the National Assembly should not set their own salaries or allowances. This responsibility should lie with RMFAC. Instead, you determine your own pay and allowances, including various types of allowances like newspaper and clothing allowances. It’s simply not right,” Obasanjo said.

He further criticized the practice, stating, “It is unethical for anyone to decide their own salary. This situation is compounded by instances where the Senate or even the executive branch provides you with unentitled benefits. For example, you all received N200 million.”

The federal legislature often faces scrutiny over its substantial pay, and the details of lawmakers’ total monthly compensation remain confidential. In 2018, former Senator Shehu Sani revealed that senators received N13.5 million monthly for running costs in addition to their salaries.