Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sharply criticized Nigerian lawmakers for deciding their own salaries and allowances. This criticism was voiced during a recent meeting at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with six members of the House of Representatives.
Obasanjo’s remarks, which were highlighted in a broadcast by Channels TV, focus on what he sees as a fundamental conflict of interest. He argues that the task of setting salaries and allowances for lawmakers should fall to the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, not the legislators themselves
The former President stated, “With all due respect, you are not supposed to fix your salaries or allowances. It is supposed to be done by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. But you decide to pay yourself, the allowances that you give yourself, both paper allowances, pant allowances, you give yourself all sorts of things. and you know it is not right.”
“It is not right for me to determine what I pay myself, it is immoral but you are doing it. The senate is doing it and you beat your chest, and even in some cases, the executive give you things that you are not entitled to. You all got N200 million.”
