Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has criticized the members of the National Assembly for setting their own salaries and allowances, which he said were not based on the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Obasanjo made this remark on Monday in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during a lecture delivered by Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.
The lecture was titled, ‘The future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria: Imperative of a new constitutional order’ and it was part of the activities marking the 60th anniversary of the call to bar of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
Obasanjo said that the members of the National Assembly were undermining the country’s democracy by disregarding the constitution, which empowers the RMAFC to fix their salaries and emoluments.
He said, “By the Nigerian Constitution, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission are supposed to fix the salaries and emoluments of the members of the National Assembly, but they set the constitution aside and decided to fix their salaries”.
Obasanjo lamented that the salaries and allowances of Nigerian legislators were obscenely disproportionate compared to other public sector workers and officials in the country.
He said that Nigerian legislators were among the highest-paid political public holders in the world with a salary structure of about N29 million, including allowances.
He said that it would take 82 years for a minimum wage earner to earn a senator’s one month’s salary, while in other countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom, it would take about six years and five years respectively.
He said that democracy was meant to benefit the citizens, who should enjoy good governance and development. He said, “Democracy doesn’t mean anything to any man who is hungry, whose life is in danger, or whose property is being destroyed”.
Afe Babalola (SAN), who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries on the occasion, friends and family members, reiterated that the 1999 constitution could not produce good governance in the country because of its flaws. He called for a new constitution that would reflect the aspirations and realities of Nigerians.
Babalola also advocated for better remuneration for judges in the country, saying that senior advocates could not be attracted to the bench with the poor pay of judges. He said that judges should be well paid and well protected to ensure their independence and integrity.
Bishop Kukah, in his lecture, stressed the need for men of integrity in the judiciary, especially at the Supreme Court. He urged the federal government to avoid sentiments and nepotism in governance and to respect the diversity and equality of Nigerians. He said that every federal institution must reflect what Nigeria should be as a nation.
He condemned leaders who limited development to their hometowns or regions, saying that this did not promote democracy or national unity. He said, “Nigeria needs to grow democratically and developed politically. Every federal institution must reflect what Nigeria should reflect all over the country. The country should stop reinforcing inequality. There must be sanctions and consequences for those who go against our democracy and the constitution of the land for us to have a better society”.
Femi Falana (SAN), a human rights lawyer who also spoke at the event, challenged President Bola Tinubu to show leadership and fight corruption.
He said that corruption had taken a dangerous dimension in the country and that Buhari should lead by example.
“Corruption has taken a dangerous dimension, the president should lead the anti-corruption crusade so that this country can take its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who described Afe Babalola as a gift to Ekiti State and Nigeria, said that Babalola created the platform for him and others before him to become governors by playing a role in the creation of Ekiti State.
He said, “If we don’t have this state, I and all others that have been governors of this state will not have a platform. So, on behalf of myself and all the governors before me, I say thank you sir”.
