- Adaramodu said senators and members of the house of representatives receive only what has been fixed by the RMAFC.
- He added that the senate would not do anything to harm the country’s economy
The Senate has clarified that it does not have the authority to set its own salaries and allowances, contrary to recent claims.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had stated on Friday that it was unethical for National Assembly members to determine their own remuneration.
However, Obasanjo’s assertion was countered by Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, who described it as unfair and misleading.
Adaramodu explained that lawmakers receive only the compensation fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), as stipulated by law.
The Senate is not involved in determining its own salaries or receiving special financial packages from the Presidency, Adaramodu emphasized.
He noted that this misconception was perpetuated during a recent visit by House of Representatives members to former President Obasanjo.
To set the record straight, Adaramodu reiterated that the Senate receives only the constitutionally allocated salary from the RMAFC.
He challenged anyone with contradictory evidence to come forward, emphasizing that the Senate does not have the power to fix its own salaries.
Regarding constituency projects, Adaramodu clarified that lawmakers only nominate them and are not involved in their execution.
The amount allocated to each project varies depending on the number of constituencies in each state, he explained.
This allocation is merely a contribution to the federal budget to ensure that every part of Nigeria benefits from federal presence.
Adaramodu attributed the spread of misinformation to the current political season, where sensationalism and scaremongering are prevalent.
He assured that the Senate is a responsible and responsive chamber that would not take any actions harmful to the country’s economy.