Speaker of the Eighth National Assembly, Yakubu Dogora, on Wednesday, said his total allowance as Nigeria’s Number Four citizen was N25 million while his salary was N400,000.
Speaking at a two-day House of Representatives open week celebration in Abuja, the Bauchi-born politician declared that the clarification was necessary, following public misconception that members of the National Assembly earn huge salaries and allowances.
He said: “It is important Nigerians allow their Representatives to work and limit financial demands on them. The misconception of huge salaries and allowances by Nigerians has given the National Assembly a negative image where they are called thieves even at public fora.
“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, you return to where you had taken money from.
“I am saying this so that Nigerians will give their lawmakers breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members’ pay”.
