In a shocking revelation, Senator Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South, has disclosed that he earns over N21 million monthly, contradicting the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) claim of N1.06 million monthly earnings for senators.
RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, had earlier stated that each senator receives a total of N1.06 million in salary and allowances per month, amounting to N12.72 million annually.
According to Shehu, the monthly earnings comprise basic salary, motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance, personal assistant, domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, newspapers/periodicals, wardrobe, house maintenance, and constituency allowance.
However, Senator Kawu revealed in an interview with the British Broadcasting Hausa Service that his monthly salary is less than N1 million, but his total take-home package is N21 million, a significant difference from the RMAFC’s figure.
The issue of lawmakers’ earnings has sparked controversy, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticizing federal lawmakers for fixing their salaries and emoluments. Senator Shehu Sani had also previously disclosed that each senator collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to the prescribed monthly earnings.
The Senate has refuted claims made by Obasanjo, stating that they were lies. The controversy surrounding lawmakers’ earnings continues to stir debate and calls for transparency.
