The Senate has called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to substantiate his recent claims that senators are fixing their own salaries and emoluments. In a statement issued on Sunday by Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu, the upper legislative chamber strongly denied any involvement in setting its own pay or receiving special financial packages from the Presidency.
The controversy arose after Obasanjo made the allegations during a visit by members of the House of Representatives, which has since ignited public criticism. The Senate, in its response, described the accusations as an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.”
Adaramodu emphasized that no senator has received financial patronage from the Presidency and clarified that the constituency projects often linked to lawmakers are merely suggested and nominated by them—a practice common in democracies around the world.
To clarify the situation, the Senate stated that it only receives the salary allocated to it by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, in strict adherence to constitutional guidelines. The Senate challenged anyone with credible evidence to present it, labeling any claims that the National Assembly fixes its own salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.”
Further explaining the process, the Senate pointed out that the Executive branch, through its various ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects. The funds for these projects vary depending on the number of constituencies in each state, ensuring that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources.
As the country approaches what has been described as a “season of political pontificating,” Adaramodu assured the public that the 10th Assembly remains a “responsible and responsive chamber.” The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s economic growth, insisting that it only receives what is constitutionally allocated and would never seek additional perks from other government branches.
During the visit, Obasanjo had remarked, “In your own case, with all due respect, you’re not supposed to fix your salaries. But you decide what you pay yourself, the allowances that you give yourself, new paper allowances. You give yourself all sorts of things, and you know it is not right. It is immoral. You’re doing it, the Senate is doing it, and you beat your chest. In some cases, the executive gives you what you’re not entitled to. You all got N200 million.”
