The Nigerian Senate has firmly rejected accusations that it is involved in setting its own salaries or receiving special financial benefits from the Presidency.
These allegations surfaced following a meeting between members of the House of Representatives and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, leading to widespread public discussion and concern.
In an official statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissed these claims as baseless.
He described the allegations as an effort to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.” According to Adaramodu, no Senator has received any financial patronage or unauthorized funds from the Presidency.
Adaramodu clarified that the Senate’s financial entitlements, including salaries, are determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. He emphasized that the idea that the National Assembly manipulates its own salary is both “uncharitable and satanic.”
Addressing the issue of constituency projects, Adaramodu explained that Senators only suggest and nominate these projects, similar to practices in other democratic nations.
The actual awarding of contracts for these projects is the responsibility of the Executive arm of government, carried out through various ministries and agencies.
He added that the funding for these projects is allocated based on the number of constituencies in each state, ensuring that federal resources benefit all regions of Nigeria.
As the nation faces what some have termed a “season of political pontificating,” Adaramodu reassured the public that the 10th Assembly remains committed to being a “responsible and responsive chamber.”
