By Ijeoma Wilfred
Former lawmaker,Senator Shehu Sani has maintained his stance that he received N13 million during his time in the Senate.
According to the Sani who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate said members of the 10th Senate currently receive N21 million monthly.
Sani’s reaction followed the position of Mohammed Bello Shehu, Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that Senators earn N1 million each monthly.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Wednesday, the former lawmaker said that the RMAFC ” are being economical with the truth”
“I was a Senator and I believe I had correct knowledge about what actually happened at that time and I believe is what is happening now. Well, RMAFC was just playing with figures, they were specific in saying this is the salary of Senators and then they went on to give a breakdown of N20 million which they said was what every Senator earn in four years.
“But I think they are being economical with the truth and I think I understand their fears in terms of telling the truth when they know what is actually happening.
“Before I came to this interview I was going through the papers and I saw a statement credited to one of the Senators from Kano, Distinguished Senator Kawu Ismaila, who confirmed what I said about Senators particularly of this set receiving up to N21 million monthly.
“During my time, I was in the Senate and I was pricked by my conscience as an activist who went to the Senate to unveil what has been made secret for over two decades.
“I believe that taxpayers and Nigerians in general have the right to know how much their legislators are earning and how much they are actually been given. I went on as a serving Senator then to disclose what I do receive monthly, what is credited into my account at that time and it was 13.5 million.”
Sani believed that RMARC owes Nigerians the duty to clearly state the monthly take home of members of the National Assembly rather than to deceive them
Sumaila,on his part told the BBC Hausa Service that ” My salary is less than N1m. ” Given the increase effected in the Senate,each Senator receives N21m per month as running costs.”
The revelation by Sani and Sumaila has sparked reactions from Nigerians.
A group of Varsity students interviewed on the streets of Port Harcourt expressed worry and sadness that while many families cannot afford a meal per day, lawmakers are having a cash windfall every month.
The students,Jonathan ,Bobby and Ernest said it was an unfair treatment for the majority of Nigerians including their parents who huzzle to make ends meet.
They therefore, called on the Federal Government to bridge the gap of inequality in the country for the sake of peace and development
