A former federal lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani, has insisted that he received ₦13.5 million during his time while current members of the 10th Senate are receiving ₦21 million monthly.
His assertion follows the controversy over the monthly earnings of federal lawmakers, and the stance of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that Senators earn N1 million each.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Wednesday, Shehu Sani maintained that the RMAFC is being economical with the truth and playing with figures.
Sani also cited the statement of Kano Senator, Kawu Ismaila, who attested to receiving ₦21 million monthly.
He said, “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.”