The economic situation in Nigeria demands that some drastic sacrifices and adjustments be made immediately as a state policy that would be comprehensive. It is obvious that the masses are the class of Nigerians making the greatest sacrifices, albeit involuntarily, while the political leaders are seen to be living a life of awesome hedonism. Especially with some members of the National Assembly saying that “our N8.5m monthly allowance is too small”, Nigerians are wondering what the lawmakers would consider enough for themselves, when the masses are hungry!
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, was quoted recently as saying: “You will now see that you are maligning and criticizing the National Assembly for nothing”. He also added that: “The money they have given them is not going to be enough. I have seen them crying already.” If the money that political office holders are given is not enough for them, then why the scrambles that we find in the political arena! Why the hustling?
It is expected that when economic fortunes decline drastically such as the condition which Nigeria has been going through in the past several years, there should be a corresponding system of adjustment and sacrifices. But when political leaders and lawmakers complain about their allowances, then it would appear that they are unmindful of the plight of the masses. Politics should be characterized by exemplary leadership and patriotism.
An Italian immigrants’ son, Leelacoca, became a legend in America by a rare exemplary leadership and patriotism. When Chrysler, a leading American company, was close to bankruptcy in 1980, Lacoca not only pushed through a most appropriate rescue operation in the business world, but also introduced “equality of sacrifice” policy in the company. He reduced his salary and allowances by over 90% as part of his sacrifice to save Chrysler. Other subordinate staff followed his example in good faith.
An example of sacrifice to save Nigeria was introduced during the Presidency of General Ibrahim Babangida, when he declared a 20% cut in his salary and those of his governors. Despite the fact that such “cut” or sacrifice was made “in sympathy with Nigerian workers”, it was obvious to discerning Nigerians that it was a window-dressing.
As things are now, Nigerians rarely know the true and exact salaries, allowances and subsidies which political officers, including the President, enjoy. Orji Uzor Kalu told us that as a governor “the state was buying my food; the state paid everything, but as a senator, nobody does that”. What he did not tell Nigerians was the number of exotic cars at his service, how much of tax payers’ money went into fuelling such vehicles daily and what other allowances, benefits and subsidies that he enjoyed. Perhaps these would be followed by a demand for life penson.
Then put these luxuries side-by-side with a 58-year-old civil servant with university degrees, on salary grade level 15 and retiring with a gratuity of about five million naira and a monthly pension of N56,000.00. The children of this senior civil servant who would adjust to having two meals daily because times are hard, may not be lucky to enjoy NNPC or Shell scholarship. Senator Shehu Sani disclosed that each senator gets N13.5m monthly as running cost apart from a salary of N700,000. Other allowances run into several millions apart from N200 million as constituency allowance.
Perhaps members of the National Assembly and other political office holders do all the hard labour necessary to keep Nigeria going as a nation, which is why they regard their remunerations as not enough yet. Nigerian politicians are known for keeping huge sums of money in their homes. When late Barkin Zuwo, a former Kano State governor, was accused of keeping millions of naira in his bedroom, his sharp reply was: “Yes, what is wrong with that? Government money in government house, what is wrong with that?”
There may be nothing wrong with political office holders keeping millions of naira in their bedrooms or in other buildings, but what is unacceptable in that practice is that it does not reflect accountability.
Nigerian political office holders at all levels of government should put the following measures into practice as a means of saving the country from further crises:
The number of official cars should be reduced to not more than two for zeach official, with fuelling and maintenance costs borne by each of them; while the known monthly salaries should remain as they are, other allowances and subsidies should be reduced by more than 50% for each officials; all political office holders whose food and other necessities of life are being paid for by government should have them reduced by 50%; foreign travels for medical vacation should be banned entirely for every public office holders; number of supporting aides and staff should be reduced by more than 60%; government trips and entourages should be reduced drastically as well as the level of flamboyance.
Foreign travels by members of the National Assembly, ministers, commissioners and other officials should be reduced, based on approval and utmost necessity; political office holders should be mindful of their utterances, especially on sensitive national issues; Nigerians expect greater transparency in contracts and appointments into public offices; politics should not be mixed with religion and security votes should be audited.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

Bright Amirize