SERAP Urges National Assembly Leaders to Disclose Monthly Running Costs

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to reveal the exact monthly running costs allocated to members of the National Assembly. The organization also requested a detailed account of how these funds are spent.

In a statement dated August 17, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group expressed concern over the recent controversy surrounding the substantial allowances received by senators. The statement was made available to the public on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

This request from SERAP comes after former senator Shehu Sani claimed that each senator receives a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, in addition to a salary of N750,000. However, this claim was disputed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

SERAP’s statement explained that the request aimed to “promptly end the alleged practice by the National Assembly of fixing its salaries, allowances, and running costs, in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations.”

The organization further urged the National Assembly leadership to stop the practice of depositing running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers. SERAP added that any misuse or mismanagement of these funds should be reported to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

“We are concerned about the practice by lawmakers of fixing their salaries, allowances, and running costs, and the opacity in the spending of millions of naira in running costs by lawmakers,” the statement read. SERAP emphasized that the constitutional oath of office taken by lawmakers requires them to ensure transparency and accountability in their financial dealings.

SERAP highlighted that the provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution make it illegal for the National Assembly to unilaterally fix its salaries, allowances, and running costs. The organization stressed that proper accountability and the return of any misused or mismanaged funds by National Assembly members would help build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

“Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend their tax money and the commonwealth. Nigerians also have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials, including lawmakers,” the statement continued.

SERAP warned that failure to comply with their request within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter would lead to appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly to act in the public interest.

This call for transparency comes just days after Senator Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South, revealed that he earns over N21 million monthly as a total take-home package. This disclosure was made shortly after the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission stated that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06 million in salary and allowances per month.

In contrast, Kawu claimed, “The amount of salary I receive per month is less than N1 million. If there are cuts, it comes back to about six hundred thousand naira and a little something as salary.” However, the Senate, through its spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South, denied Kawu’s claims.