Former Senator Shehu Sani revealed he was nearly suspended for six months in 2018 after exposing lawmakers’ salaries and allowances. His disclosure of senators earning N13.5 million monthly and N200 million for constituency projects sparked outrage among colleagues. His remarks follow the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani has disclosed that he was nearly suspended for six months in 2018 for publicly revealing the salaries and allowances of Nigerian lawmakers. Sani stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he would have faced disciplinary action if not for the intervention of then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu.
The ex-lawmaker, who had revealed that senators received N13.5 million monthly as running costs and N200 million for constituency projects, noted that whistleblowers in the Senate often face backlash from colleagues. His revelation was met with resistance from fellow legislators, as such financial details are typically kept confidential.
Sani’s comments come amid fresh controversy in the Senate following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Kogi Central senator was recently handed a six-month suspension after an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that her troubles began after she rejected inappropriate advances from Akpabio.
Sani’s remarks reignite the debate on transparency in Nigeria’s legislative spending, as the public continues to demand greater accountability from elected officials.
