President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo,
non-returning federal lawmakers, ministers and
presidential aides will collect N3.24bn as severance allowances,
investigation by The Punch Newspaper has shown. The severance allowances are contained in the Remuneration Package put together by the Revenue Mobilisation,
Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
According to the package, Jonathan, who will hand over to
the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29, is entitled to 300 per cent
of his annual basic salary. The President’s annual basic salary is put at N3,
514,705 and therefore his severance allowance will be N10, 544,115 after May
29. The severance allowance is without prejudice to his other constitutional
entitlements as a former head of government.
Similarly, Vice-President Sambo, who leaves office the same
day as Jonathan, is also entitled to 300 per cent of his annual basic salary
put at N3, 031,572.50. This means that his severance allowance after May 29 is
N9, 094,717.50. For having held the office of vice-president, Sambo also has
some constitutional entitlements and perks.
About 76 senators are not returning to the National Assembly
either because they did not stand for election or because they lost their bids
to return. They are however entitled to N462,019,200 at the expiration of their
tenure on June 5.
Like Jonathan and Sambo, they are entitled to 300 per cent
of their annual basic salaries as severance allowances. This amounts to N6,
079,200 per senator. In the House of Representatives, about 290 members are not
returning to the 8th National Assembly to be proclaimed into existence by
Buhari on June 5. Each of the members is entitled to N5, 955,637.50 as
severance allowance. This means that the 290 members will be paid N1, 727,134,875.
The ministers, on the other hand, will be collecting a total
of N253, 967,212.5. There are 42 ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet. Thirty one of
them are senior ministers and 11 are ministers of state. Each of the senior
ministers is entitled to N6, 079,200 severance allowance while each of the
ministers of state will receive N5,
872,740.
This means that collectively, the senior ministers will get
N188, 455,200 at the expiration of their tenure on May 29 while collectively,
the ministers of state will be collecting N65, 512,012.5 .
The aides to the President comprising special advisers,
senior special assistants and special assistants will
get N775, 207,125.
There are 23 of them who work with the president as special
advisers. Apart from this number, however, there are several others estimated
at 110, who work with the vice-president, the First Lady(Patience Jonathan) and
special advisers that are designated either as senior special assistants or
special assistants to the President.
This means that there are about 133 aides to the president
and each of them is entitled to 300 per cent of their annual basic salary which
amounts to N5, 828,625.
The Nigerian democracy has been identified as one of the
costliest in the world as a result of a large number of political office
holders.
Some experts, for instance, think that a cabinet, made up of
42 ministers, is too large. However, constitutionally, each of the 36
states is expected to be represented in
the Federal Executive Council.
Bicameralism is another source of worry for many observers
who believe that Nigeria can do with one chamber of the National Assembly. Some
Nigerians have called for part-time legislature as a means of saving cost.
However, the worry of many Nigerians is not what the
lawmakers earn monthly but what accrues to them through self-appropriation
and constituency projects.
26 Comments
This is publicly robbing the masses
ReplyDeleteChoi! While d citizens are hearing it!
DeleteGush! What about teachers who serve for 35yrs not still get stipend as pension, that is not even paid most times...This is evil
ReplyDeleteIt's all about politicians
DeleteThey've finished nigeria
DeleteSorry for Nigerian masses
ReplyDeleteSee the way our money is shared among politicians.
ReplyDeleteThis must be a huge joke!
DeleteThat's why they kill to get into politics In Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteNonsense leaders governor moron set of citizens
DeleteI doubt if we will accept & watch this happen.
ReplyDeleteSo expensive.
ReplyDeleteEven aides will also get...
ReplyDeleteGOD HELP US!
ReplyDeleteThis is pure fraud
ReplyDeleteIt isn't good for the incoming government.
ReplyDeleteWell, good for them
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity! And we just watch...
ReplyDeleteSomeone should just tell me that this is just speculations & not true.
ReplyDeleteWake up & see it happen!
DeleteVery ugly
ReplyDeleteThat's why every family wants to have a politiicuan
ReplyDeleteThis is new & shouldn't stand for any reason
ReplyDeleteWhile we don't have fuel n light
ReplyDeleteStealing by high offices
ReplyDeleteMstchewwww....
ReplyDelete