Ex-Lawmaker defends N29 million monthly earnings by Nigerian senators

Former lawmaker, Senator Ishaku Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, has disclosed that the monthly earnings of senators which may appear substantial on paper, are often insufficient to meet the demands and challenges.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Abbo shared insights from his time in the Senate, shedding light on the financial realities faced by lawmakers.

Abbo disclosed that during his tenure, his salary and allowances amounted to N14.4 million per month, including funds for clothing and a vehicle, alongside a N1 million monthly salary.

He also pointed out that the earnings of current senators have increased to around N29 million per month.

He said, “When I was in the Senate, all my allowances together, including money for clothes and a vehicle, came to N14.4 million per month, plus a N1million salary.

“Now, senators earn about N29 million. Although N29 million seems like a lot on paper, it’s not enough to handle the many demands senators face.

“I’m being honest here — I’m not defending the National Assembly, even though I was part of it for five years. I just want to share the facts.”

Reflecting on his personal financial situation, Abbo expressed that entering politics had adversely affected his financial standing.

He recounted how he had to leave his business, where he served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, to pursue a career in governance after winning the election.

This transition, according to Abbo, required him to subsidise his lifestyle due to the financial constraints of his senatorial office.

He elaborated, “I had to leave the company I founded, in which I was the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, to go into governance when I won the election.

“I had to start subsiding my life because the money that was allocated to my office was absolutely nothing considering the demand and challenges faced by my own constituents on a daily basis.

“I had a case of just one person I took to the hospital; I spent N14 million on one person.

“And every month, from all over Adamawa State and other states, my office was besieged with people looking for help.

“I had to start calling some state governors to help me with cases that are being brought from their states into my office.”

Abbo further alleged that some state governors go home with up to N1 billion for state responsibilities.

“From N14 million, I was paying for people’s scholarships, subsiding people’s expenses while a state governor in this country is going home with over N700 million security vote every month, some go home with N1billion to do other security issues,” he said.

“I am poorer, much poorer as a man when I became a politician than I was before I became a politician,” Abbo added.