A Nigerian-born legislator representing Albany County in New York’s 7th District, Beroro Efekoro, has criticized the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members in Nigeria as excessive.
Efekoro expressed his concerns in a statement from New York on Thursday, responding to the ongoing debate over the compensation received by members of Nigeria’s National Assembly.
The controversy emerged after claims that National Assembly members set their own salaries, which reportedly arose during a visit by some House of Representatives members to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, causing public outrage.
On Sunday, the Senate denied that lawmakers determine their own pay or receive exorbitant compensation. However, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission revealed that each senator receives a monthly salary and allowances totaling N1.063 million.
In response, Efekoro dismissed the Commission’s explanation as mere formalities.
He remarked, “The individual who made the allegations is a former senator and knows exactly how much they received. Even the commission’s spokesperson knows that the figures provided are just what is officially stated.”
Efekoro warned that the Nigerian government and politicians are pushing citizens to their limits, noting, “Nigerians may be patient, but they don’t forget. We only tolerate things for as long as we can endure.”
The US lawmaker also called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in tackling the country’s challenges.
Additionally, Efekoro cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio against intimidating senators who seek to hold the president accountable to the people.
He stated, “I still believe in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but the National Assembly must not become a rubber stamp for the president.”
Efekoro urged Nigerians to give the Tinubu administration more time to address the economic issues left by the previous government. He also called on the government to clarify how much has been saved from the removal of subsidies and how those funds have been utilized.
He emphasized the need for transparency and warned that failure to engage Nigerians in the government’s plans could lead to a looming revolution.
