The Senate has debunked the claim by one of its members representing Kano South, Sumaila Kawu, that he receives N21m monthly in salary and allowances, saying the N21m is not for salary but for daily operations and statutory officials.

The Senate, through its spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, said the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, the agency of government that fixes political officials’ salaries and allowances, has duly disclosed the monthly personal take-home of Senators.

The Senate said just like other arms of government, boards and parastatals, including local government councils, the Senate also has its running cost.

He said, “For the umpteenth time, the Senate is compelled to respond to obsolete allegations of phantom salaries and personal emoluments spuriously credited to Senators monthly.

“The Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission, the agency of government that fixes political officials’ salaries and allowances, has duly disclosed the monthly personal take-home of Senators.

“However, all arms of government and their personnel—governors, ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors-General, state commissioners, and even boards and parastatals, including local government councils—run their activities with running costs, and the National Assembly is no exception.

“The funds referred to by Senator Kawu Sumaila are neither his salary nor personal allowance.

 “These funds are allocated for the daily operation of senators’ offices and other statutory officials. They also provide for constituency office staff, oversight functions, and community engagements.

“These funds are not static; they are provided for in the annual budget and must be retired with proof of genuine expenditure. They are not personal allowances or salaries for legislators.

The controversy around the alleged humongous pay of the National Assembly members came to the fore once again after former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the weekend alleged that the lawmakers fixed their own pay.

While the National Assembly refuted the claim by Obasanjo, Kawu, a member of New Nigeria People Party, in an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service on Wednesday, revealed that he gets N21m monthly pay.

However, he also stated that his “monthly salary is less than N1m. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000.”