Ex-House of Reps Member Reveals N8.5m Monthly Running Cost

• Sergius Ogun disclosed that each House member received ₦8.5 million monthly for running costs, separate from their ₦600,000 salary
• Ogun emphasized that running costs cover constituency expenses and should be accounted for, addressing criticisms of lawmakers’ financial management

Sergius Ogun, a former member of the House of Representatives, has revealed that each member received ₦8.5 million monthly as a running cost during his time in office. Ogun, who represented the Esan North-East/Esan South-East Constituency from 2015 to 2023, disclosed this information during an interview on Arise TV, responding to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent criticism of the National Assembly.

When asked about the morality of the National Assembly setting its salaries and receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency, as alleged by Obasanjo, Ogun clarified, “The much-talked-about salary, as mentioned by Speaker Honourable Abbas, is about ₦600,000. This is not what we should be focusing on in the National Assembly.”

He further explained that the running cost differs from the salary and is intended to cover various expenses, such as maintaining a constituency office. “For instance, a trip from anywhere in Nigeria to your constituency today would cost at least ₦1.5 million. The running cost is part of the National Assembly’s budget, allocated to members. It’s not a salary; it’s a fund that must be accounted for at the end of each month. If it were a salary, you wouldn’t need to retire it. It’s not a wage; it’s an expense,” Ogun said.

When asked specifically how much lawmakers received as running costs, Ogun revealed, “It’s ₦8.5 million monthly. Whether it has been increased now, I don’t know. I’ve heard discussions about a possible increase.” He added that this includes allowances for newspapers, international journals, and constituency office maintenance.

Ogun also highlighted lawmakers’ pressures when these funds are disbursed, explaining that they often receive numerous requests for financial assistance from constituents. “The day the so-called running cost hits your account, you start receiving calls from everywhere. People ask for help with rent, fixing roofs, and other personal issues. If governors and local government chairmen were addressing basic needs like primary healthcare and education, there would be less pressure on legislators,” he said.

He suggested reassessing the necessity of the running cost, particularly in light of recent developments in local government autonomy. “If local governments are made to work effectively, the burden on legislators would reduce, and perhaps National Assembly members could live solely on their salaries,” Ogun stated.