ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has clarified the misconceptions surrounding the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly.
Speaking at the two-day House of Representatives open week celebration in Abuja, Dogara revealed that his total allowance as Speaker was N25 million, while his salary was N400,000.
Dogara emphasized that the public’s perception of lavish earnings by lawmakers is inaccurate and has tarnished the National Assembly’s image, leading to lawmakers being labeled as “thieves” in public forums.
He explained that during his tenure as Speaker, he instructed his accountant to maintain a separate account for his allowances, which were solely used to support his constituents’ needs.
The former Speaker acknowledged that the demands on the account were high, but he never withdrew any funds for personal use. Instead, he directed his accountant to borrow if necessary and repay the borrowed amount when funds became available.
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Dogara hopes that by sharing his experience, Nigerians will understand the reality of lawmakers’ compensation and give them the necessary space to perform their duties without unnecessary scrutiny and criticism.
“While I was Speaker my salary was N400,000 and my total allowance was N25 million, I told my accountant to open a separate account for the allowances and I never for once took any money out of that account everything that came into that account was used to cater for the needs of constituents.
“My accountant complained of the level of demand on the account and I told him if the money there is finished, borrow, and when money comes it you return to were you had taken money from.
“I am saying this so Nigerians will give their legislatures breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members’ pay”, he said.
By sharing his financial details, Dogara aims to dispel the myth of excessive earnings by lawmakers and promote a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
His revelation sheds light on the actual compensation of lawmakers, highlighting the need for a more informed public discourse.