Politics
Scandalous Jumbo Pay
The Economist of London in its recent edition published the salaries of lawmakers in some countries across the globe with Nigeria and Australia topping the chart. Although the Governor of Central bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Samusi had in the past made a startling revelation about the jumbo pay being received by the Nigerian lawmakers, he did not go the extra mile to furnish the Nigerian public with the figures.
According to the Economist’s report a Nigerian lawmaker receives an annual salary of $189,000 (N30 million) while his counterpart in Germany earns $119,500; France ($85,900); Pakistan ($3,500); Saudi Arabia ($64,000), Malaysia ($25,300); Sri Lanka ($5,000); Spain ($43,900); Ireland (120,400); Canada (154.000); New Zealand ($112,500) Singapore ($154,000); Sweden ($99,300) and Australia ($201,200).
Others are Kenya ($74,500); Ghana ($46,500); Indonesia ($65,800); South Africa ($104,000); Brazil ($157,600), Thailand ($43,800); India ($11,200); Italy ($182,000); Bangladesh ($4,000); Israel ($114,800); Hong Kong ($130,700); United States ($174,000); Japan ($149,000) and Norway ($138,000)
The report that analysed the data obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that the federal Iawmakers earn more than their counterparts in 27 countries that were mentioned earlier. It is pertinent to note that each lawmaker receives $189,000 annually as basic salary which is 116 times the country’s gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person per annum while that of a British parliamentarian is 2.7 times the country’s GDP per person. Again, this excludes the numerous and fabulous allowances that are paid to the Nigerian lawmakers at the expense of 70 per cent of their compatriots who are living below poverty line as a result of the poor state of the nation’s economy.
A situation where a whopping N150 billion is allocated to the National Assembly in the 2013 budget is thought provoking, given the fact that Nigeria imports virtually everything from other countries of the world for local consumption.
Our leaders are utterly insensitive to the plight of the Nigerian masses who are lauguishing in protracted penury. This explains why the recurrent expenditure is always higher than the capital expenditure in our budgetary provisions.
No meaningful development can take place in a country that is bereft of basic infrastructure occasioned by selfish and visionless leadership. More worrisome is the fact that it takes tears and blood for the so-called leaders to take positive steps that will engender growth and well-being of the generality of the people. The Nigerian masses must embark on protest for government to fund the education sector; provide electricity, pipe-borne water and petroleum products; fix deplorable roads and implement the N18,000 minimum wage for workers.
Of course, the lawmakers are not alone in the mindless exploitation of hapless Nigerians. All other public officers in the mainstream of governance are equally involved in this financial recklessness.
It is for this reason that a growing number of Nigerians are taking to politics. Because of the juicy nature of political offices in Nigeria politics has become a do-or-die affair as aspirants will do everything humanly possible to win elections. The consequence therefore, is poor leadership and economic woes that have become the lot of the nation that is endowed with abundant natural resources.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the National Union of Textiles, Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) in llorin, the Kwara State capital recently, the Vice President of Nigeria Labour congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu urged the lawmakers to demonstrate stemanship by reviewing downwards their annual emoluments.
“Their salary is not even linked to their productivity. If they refuse, we must call them to order. Their constituents should call them to order. They can’t be holier than the Pope.
“If they refuse to reduce their salary, we must take the battle to their constituencies. Anything short of this will make us to take to the streets and NLC is ready to lead the way.
“How can a legislator earn about $189,000 (N30 million) as basis salary per annum ? Our lawmakers are the second highest paid in the world next to those in Australia”.
He said it would take a worker earning the monthly minimum wage of N18,000 about 140 years to save N30.24 million “If the worker saves his whole salary.
He said it would take an average worker 667 years to be at the same level with a lawmaker, whose total emolument per annum was put at N46 million.
Aremu who is also the General Secretary of NUTGTWN said strike could be the most potent weapon to be employed if the workers failed to heed their advice.
“This is a persuasive approach now, but if they refuse, we will march to their constituencies, and if they still pauperise Nigerians, we will take to the streets to show them the power of the electorate over the elected. How can a Nigerian legislator be earning more than the American President?”
The NLC Leader described as paradoxical, the condition of Nigerians whose country is ranked 12
th in the hierarchy of oil-producing nations but could seldom afford daily meals.
Some political observers have argued that the Federal lawmakers lack the moral authority to exercise their constitutional prerogative of oversight in view of the dubious income they forcefully appropriated to themselves.
They therefore, drew the attention of the lawmakers to paragraph 32 (d) of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That section provides that the Revenue mobilisation and fiscal Commission shall have power to “determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, legislators and the holders of offices mentioned in section 84 and 124 of this constitution”.
It is clear that the federal lawmakers did not comply with the constitutional provisions in relation to their remuneration.
To avert public opprobrium the lawmakers should heed to NLC’s advice by reviewing downwards their basic salary. They should also ensure that other political office holders do not contravene the law as well. Our leaders should lead by example and not by precept. Please be guided.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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