AprokoNation, it’s your boy Chuka. Today, we are tearing down the silk curtains covering what can only be described as a grand theatre of extortion: our very own National Assembly. Let’s stop using coded language and call it what it is—469 individuals operating a sophisticated enterprise, openly robbing us while we either clap or stay silent.
My people, your silence is their biggest enabler.
The Wicked Math of "Running Costs" Let’s talk numbers, because that is where the real wickedness hides. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) officially pegs a Senator's monthly salary and allowances at N1,063,860. Don’t let that "clean" figure fool you.
The Whistleblowers: Years ago, former Senator Shehu Sani revealed a staggering N13.5 million monthly "running cost" per Senator.
The Current Reality: Senator Kawu Sumaila recently pushed that even further, declaring that each Senator bags N21 million monthly when you combine salaries, allowances, and running costs.
While the average Nigerian struggles to survive on a N70,000 minimum wage, these 109 Senators alone are siphoning billions. The entire National Assembly—including the 360 members of the House of Representatives—is set to gobble up an estimated N69 billion annually. That is enough to pay nearly 200,000 civil servants a living wage. To make matters worse, a massive chunk of their allowances remains completely undisclosed.
Transparency? In Abuja, that word doesn't exist.
A Pattern of Self-Service What exactly are we paying for? They stay busy, alright—busy holding "security retreats" in luxury hotels while bandits run riot and our people are kidnapped daily.
Even the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, admitted that constituency projects are plagued by a "lack of transparency" and "misallocated funds." We haven't forgotten the Electoral Act drama, where they tried to strip away the "real-time" electronic transmission of results. Look at the internal bickering, like Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan calling out Senator Ireti Kingibe for sidelining her from international events.
These aren't just "unfortunate incidents." From Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over dubious proceedings to Senator Orji Kalu warning others about siphoning funds (which rings hollow given the lack of transparency in his own house), the pattern is clear: Self-enrichment over service.
How We Reclaim Our Country Nigerians, we have the power to stop this daylight robbery. Online outrage isn't enough anymore; we need sustained, targeted demands.
Demand Full Disclosure: Every allowance for every member must be public record. No more "hidden" running costs.
Pressure Your Reps: Know their names. Track their attendance. Scrutinize their declared assets. Make them feel the heat of your oversight.
End Voice Voting: Demand electronic voting in the chambers so we have a public record of exactly how each lawmaker votes on critical bills. No more hiding behind a collective "Aye."
Follow the Watchdogs: Support organizations like OrderPaper Nigeria and BudgIT that are shining a light into these dark corners.
This isn’t just about complaining; it’s about reclaiming what is ours. Your collective voice is louder than their greed. Let’s make them uncomfortable. Their pattern is to exploit the dark, enrich themselves, and leave us the crumbs.
It’s time to disrupt the organized theft. Who’s with me?
#NigerianSenate #NationalAssembly #EndCorruption #Accountability #NigerianPolitics #Transparency #AprokoNation