By Onyeche Igwe
Amid the controversy over the monthly earnings of federal lawmakers, Senator Shehu Sani has maintained that he received N13 million as a member of the 8th Senate, while current members of the 10th Senate receive N21 million monthly.
The revelation by the former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, followed the stance of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that Senators earn N1 million each.
Sani, who spoke on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Wednesday, insisted that the RMAFC is being economical with the truth.
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.”
The former lawmaker said he does not believe there is any need to deceive Nigerians or cover up anything.
He said that since legislators receive public money, it is necessary for those involved to come out and say it as it is like he did.
