The Nigerian Senate has vehemently denied allegations that it is involved in determining its salaries or receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency.
This comes after reports emerged that members of the House of Representatives made such claims during a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
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Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu described the allegations as an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.” He stressed that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency.
“The Senate only receives the salary allocated to it by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, in strict accordance with constitutional provisions,” Adaramodu said.
Adaramodu explained that constituency projects are merely suggested and nominated by Senators, following practices common in other democracies worldwide. “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 depending on the number of constituencies in each state, and the intention is to ensure that every region of Nigeria benefits from federal resources,” he added.
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Adaramodu challenged anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts, describing any suggestion that the National Assembly fixes its salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.” He reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding the economy and growth of Nigeria, insisting that it only receives what is constitutionally allocated to it and would never seek additional perks from other branches of government.
