Senator Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of introducing corruption into the National Assembly. This claim follows Obasanjo’s recent criticism of lawmakers for allegedly fixing their salaries and allowances amid Nigeria’s economic hardships.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on August 15, 2024, Senator Kawu stated, “When you are talking about corruption, it is Obasanjo who introduced corruption into the National Assembly.” He claimed to have proof, alleging that Obasanjo’s government and associates corrupted some members of the National Assembly to alter the Constitution, allowing him to pursue a third term as president.
Obasanjo’s remarks, made the previous week, sparked a debate over the secrecy surrounding lawmakers’ earnings. Kawu, who has previously discussed the issue, mentioned that each senator takes home N21 million monthly, a figure that has drawn significant attention and calls for transparency.
In response to Obasanjo’s accusations, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu defended the lawmakers, stating that their salaries are constitutionally determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He challenged anyone with credible evidence to present contrary facts and described the former president’s comments as “uncharitable and satanic.”
