By Peace Akujor
The Senate on Sunday condemned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s claims that lawmakers in the National Assembly set their own salaries or receive special fiscal packages from the executive as an “attempt to crucify the legislature by centurions of political hypocrisy.”
Obasanjo’s claim, made when some House of Representatives members paid him a visit in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sparked public concern.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu emphasised that no Senator has received any financial support from the Presidency.
While clarifying that constituency projects frequently linked to the legislature are simply suggested and nominated by Senators, as is common in other democracies around the world, he added that the Senate only receives the salary allocated to it by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, in strict compliance with constitutional provisions.
The Senate went on to say that “the Executive arm of government, through its various Ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects. ”The funds allocated for these projects vary according to the number of constituencies in each state, with the goal of ensuring that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources.”
As the country enters a “season of political pontificating,” Adaramodu assured the public that the 10th Assembly will remain a “responsible and responsive chamber.”
He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to Nigeria’s economy and growth, emphasising that it only receives what is constitutionally allocated to it and will never seek additional benefits from other branches of government.
Continuing, the Senate Spokesman stated that the Red Chamber challenges anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts, labelling any suggestion that the National Assembly set its own salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.”
