Serving senators earn ₦21m monthly, I got ₦13m — Shehu Sani

Former Senator Shehu Sani has disclosed that while he earned ₦13 million per month during his tenure in the 8th Senate, current members of the 10th Senate receive ₦21 million monthly.

This statement comes amid ongoing controversy over the earnings of federal lawmakers, particularly in light of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) claim that senators earn only ₦1 million each.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Wednesday, Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, accused the RMAFC of being misleading in their figures.

He criticised the RMAFC for downplaying the figures and stressed the importance of transparency regarding lawmakers’ earnings.

He argued, “I was a senator, and I believe I had correct knowledge about what actually happened at that time and I believe it is what is happening now. 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 ₦20 million, which they said was what every senator earns in four years. But I think they are being economical with the truth, and I understand their fears in terms of telling the truth when they know what is actually happening.”

Sani also referenced a statement by Senator Kawu Ismaila from Kano, who confirmed Sani’s claim that senators in the current set receive up to ₦21 million monthly.

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Reflecting on his own time in the Senate, Sani noted that he felt compelled, as an activist, to disclose what had been kept 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 being given. I went on as a serving Senator then to disclose what I received monthly, what was credited into my account at that time, and it was ₦13.5 million.”

Sani said that there is no need to deceive Nigerians or cover up the truth. He argued that since legislators receive public funds, they should be transparent about their earnings, just as he was during his time in office.