Opinion
By Abubakar Malami
The forbearance of citizens is highly recommended in a situation where middle and lower classes in the hierarchy of social stratification experience a serious economic retardation. But Nigerians were astonished with the revelation made by Senator Kawu Sumaila representing Kano South in the upper chamber about the huge amount of money that senators earned for running their offices.
Sumaila, during his interview with BBC Hausa Service, hinted that each Senator gets 21 million naira for running their respective offices. If one summed up the amount for 109 senators of the red chamber, the amount stands at 2.289 billion monthly. This is unarguably large considering the current economic downturn faced by majority of Nigerians.
While the politicians always claim the nation is in economic hardship, they ironically indulge in lavish and wasteful spendings, draining the state resources.
These huge spendings are only for senators – what about the 360 members of the lower chamber? These legislators who receive these unjustifiably large monthly allowances are constitutionally responsible for making laws, checking and balancing the excesses of the executives.
Ideally, in a democratic dispensation like ours, legislators are entrusted with the responsibility of representing the people’s interests and advocating for policies that enhance their lives. They are expected to champion the yearnings and aspirations of their constituents in the National Assembly and work tirelessly to promote their well-being. Unfortunately, this is a stark contrast of what our legislators do.
It is quite lamentable that such kind of administrative style is happening in a nation where citizens agitate for overhaul of education, reinvigoration of agriculture, revamping of the economy, transparency and accountability in governance and so on.
While the political class enjoys government privileges and squanders state resources, the downtrodden masses endure abject poverty and hunger. Fortunately, the power to change this narrative lies with the people, who can utilize their votes and other constitutional means to restore prosperity to the nation.
May Allah bless Nigeria.
Malami writes from Gombe.