Shehu Sani has accused the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) of underreporting lawmakers' salaries. Revealing that senators might earn up to N21 million monthly, Sani's claims are supported by Senator Kawu Ismail. This disparity between official figures and actual earnings stirs public concern amid Nigeria's economic crisis.
In a recent interview on Channels Television, Shehu Sani, the former senator representing Kaduna Central, has reiterated his allegations regarding the earnings of Nigerian lawmakers, suggesting that the figures reported by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) are misleading. Sani's comments come in light of a statement by Kawu Ismail, a current senator from Kano South, who supports Sani’s claims by revealing that senators may receive up to N21 million monthly.
Sani, a former activist turned legislator, argued that transparency about lawmakers' salaries is crucial, especially in a country grappling with severe economic challenges. He criticized RMAFC for what he describes as being "economical with the truth," highlighting discrepancies between the official salary figures and the higher amounts reportedly received by senators.
During his tenure, Sani publicly disclosed his monthly earnings of N13.5 million, contrasting sharply with RMAFC’s official figure of approximately N1,063,860. This disparity was further highlighted by Senator Kawu Sumaila, who disclosed to BBC Hausa that while his reported salary is under N1 million, the total monthly earnings, including allowances, amount to N21 million.
These revelations have intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s legislative salaries, fueling public outrage amidst ongoing economic hardship. The inconsistencies between official reports and actual earnings have raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the Nigerian government.
