Shehu Sani’s Revelation on Senators’ Allowances and the Culture of Legislative Secrecy
Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has once again shed light on the opaque financial dealings within the Nigerian Senate, recalling how he narrowly escaped a six-month suspension in 2018 for revealing the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers. This disclosure underscores a long-standing culture of secrecy surrounding legislative earnings and raises critical questions about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s governance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Sani stated that his revelation almost led to his suspension from the Senate. He credited his survival to the intervention of then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, whom he implied played crucial roles in preventing disciplinary actions against him.
“When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the senators, it nearly earned me a six months suspension if not for divine intervention, Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue,” Sani wrote.
The Controversial Revelation and Its Implications
Sani’s 2018 disclosure that each senator received a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, alongside N200 million annually for constituency projects, sparked widespread public outrage. This revelation was particularly contentious because the actual earnings of lawmakers had been deliberately shrouded in secrecy. While official figures from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) suggested lower salaries for lawmakers, the additional “running costs” and other undisclosed perks painted a different picture of the financial benefits enjoyed by senators.
The backlash from his colleagues was swift, reflecting the internal resistance to financial transparency within the legislature. The attempt to punish Sani for breaking this unspoken rule speaks volumes about the Senate’s reluctance to embrace openness, a fundamental tenet of democratic governance. Instead of addressing public concerns about excessive allowances, the Senate’s response was to suppress internal whistleblowing—a move that contradicts global best practices in legislative accountability.
A Recurring Pattern: The Suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Sani’s revelation gains renewed relevance in light of the recent six-month suspension of Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her suspension, based on a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, followed a February 20 altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This incident raises concerns about whether the Senate is employing suspension as a tool to silence dissenting voices, especially those who challenge established power structures.
Adding to the controversy, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged in a February 28 interview with Arise TV that her troubles began after she rejected alleged sexual advances from Akpabio. If true, this claim suggests a worrying misuse of institutional power to suppress opposition and silence individuals who refuse to conform to political and personal demands.
The Need for Legislative Transparency and Reform
The cases of Shehu Sani and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan highlight a troubling pattern within the Nigerian Senate—an institution that appears more focused on shielding itself from scrutiny than addressing systemic concerns of corruption and financial mismanagement. Rather than penalizing those who seek to promote transparency, the Senate should prioritize openness by making lawmakers’ earnings publicly accessible and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.
Moreover, the reported suppression of dissenting senators raises concerns about the Senate’s commitment to democratic principles. If lawmakers cannot freely express concerns about governance issues within the institution itself, how can they effectively represent the interests of the Nigerian people?
The Nigerian Senate must take concrete steps toward reforming its financial structures and disciplinary processes. Instead of using suspension as a punitive measure against those who advocate for transparency, the legislative body should institutionalize mechanisms that promote accountability and protect whistleblowers.
Shehu Sani’s near-suspension in 2018 and the recent sanction of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reflect deeper institutional flaws within the Nigerian legislature. These incidents demonstrate a resistance to transparency and an inclination to use power to suppress dissenting voices. If Nigeria is to strengthen its democracy, legislative accountability must be prioritized, and whistleblowers must be protected rather than punished for exposing the truth.
Reference
Shehu Sani’s Revelation on Senators’ Allowances and the Culture of Legislative Secrecy