Fact-Check: Do Nigerian Lawmakers Fix Their Own Salaries and Allowances?

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently reignited a longstanding debate by accusing members of Nigeria’s National Assembly of setting their salaries and allowances. His remarks have sparked widespread discussion, leading to fresh scrutiny of the remuneration practices within the federal legislative body. This fact check aims to verify the accuracy of Obasanjo’s claims and provide clarity on the issue.

Obasanjo’s Allegation:

During a meeting with some members of the House of Representatives in Abeokuta, Ogun State, former President Obasanjo alleged that lawmakers in the National Assembly were improperly setting their salaries and allowances. He criticised the practice, stating,

“You are not supposed to fix your salaries or your allowances; it is supposed to be done by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”

Obasanjo further added that members of the Assembly were awarding themselves various allowances, including for newspapers and personal items, which he deemed “immoral.”

Public Reaction and Senate Response:

The former president’s comments quickly gained traction in the media, leading to widespread criticism of the federal lawmakers. In response, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate’s spokesperson, refuted Obasanjo’s allegations, describing them as “uncharitable and satanic.” Adaramodu insisted that senators only receive the remuneration determined by the RMAFC.

Verifying the Claim:

RMAFC’s Role in Fixing Salaries:

A thorough examination of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) documentation confirms that the commission is indeed responsible for setting the salaries and allowances of all political office holders, including members of the National Assembly. The document titled “Remuneration Package for Political and Judicial Office Holders (2007 – 2009)” outlines the specific salary and allowance structure for both senators and members of the House of Representatives.

According to the RMAFC, a senator’s monthly salary and allowances total N1,063,860, while a member of the House of Representatives receives N794,086. These figures include various allowances such as vehicle maintenance, personal assistant pay, domestic staff, and constituency allowances.

Running Costs and Other Payments:

While the RMAFC does set the official salaries and allowances, it is important to note that lawmakers also receive additional “running costs” that are not covered by the RMAFC’s remuneration package. In 2018, former Senator Shehu Sani revealed that he received N13.5 million monthly as running costs, a figure far exceeding the official salary.

Verdict:

The claim that members of the National Assembly fix their own salaries and allowances is incorrect. The RMAFC is responsible for determining these payments. However, lawmakers do receive significant additional funds in the form of “running costs,” which are not governed by the RMAFC and have sparked considerable debate about transparency and accountability in the legislature.