Members of the House of Representatives have agreed to donate 50 percent of their salaries for the next six months. This decision comes in response to rising economic challenges and growing public dissatisfaction.
During a plenary session on Thursday, a motion titled “An appeal to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest, to maintain peace, eschew violence and open windows for meaningful engagements with the governments at all levels in order to address their issues” was introduced. The motion, brought forward by Ibrahim Isiaka of Ogun State, highlights the urgency for dialogue over protest amidst reports of a planned nationwide protest set for August 1.
Acknowledging the right of citizens to protest, Isiaka called for patience and constructive engagement with the government to resolve the nation’s challenges. “The citizens of Nigeria have the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest to address their grievances but the House is pleading for reason, understanding, and unity in the face of adversity,” Isiaka stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu proposed that House members sacrifice half of their N600,000 monthly salary to aid government intervention efforts. “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country,” Kalu said, emphasizing the need for collective effort and patience.
The proposed salary cut will see each member contributing N300,000 monthly, accumulating to N108 million monthly and a total of N648 million over six months. This fund aims to bolster the government’s initiatives to alleviate economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
Ahmed Jaha, representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, stressed that the current challenges stem from years of neglect and cannot be resolved overnight. He urged the public, especially the youth, to give the government time to implement its policies.
Ngozi Okolie from Delta State added that the situation, while difficult, is not beyond repair. He called for unity and collective effort to navigate the crisis. Similarly, Akin Rotimi, House spokesman, assured that better times are ahead, urging patience from the populace.
Before the motion was put to vote, Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere highlighted progress despite negative social media narratives. The motion passed with strong support from House members.
