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Scandalous Jumbo Pay

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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.

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

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