• Dogara has said that members of the assembly are being labelled as thieves
• He discloses he was earning N25,400,000 monthly as a lawmaker, adding that the salary does not last 
• This statement has triggered reactions, with Nigerians voicing out their concerns about the earnings of the lawmakers in the country 

Former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has disclosed that his monthly allowance was N25 million while he was presiding officer. 

He also disclosed that, during his tenure as Speaker of the House, his monthly salary was N400,000.

Dogara stated this while speaking on Wednesday, July 3 in Abuja at the House of Representatives Open Week.

National Assembly members labelled as thieves 

The former lawmaker pointed out that the misperception of substantial salaries and allowances by Nigerians has caused the National Assembly to be negatively perceived, with members being labelled as thieves in public forums.

Dogara stated, “While I was Speaker, my salary was less than N400,000. I don’t know if it has been increased now. My total income was N25 million and I told my accountant to open a separate account for the imprest and I never once took any money out of that account. Everything that came into that account was used to cater to the needs of constituents.”

He further said, “My accountant complained of the level of demand on the account and I told him if the money there is finished, borrow, when money comes, you return it to where you had taken money from.”

NA should be transparent about its finances - Dogara

“I am saying this so Nigerians will give their legislatures breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members’ pay. We all know that democracy is expensive and if we think that it is too expensive, maybe we should ask our political scientists to develop for us a local model that will be cheaper for us,” Dogara added. 

The former speaker believed that it was overdue for the National Assembly to be transparent about its finances to clarify that legislators were not receiving exorbitant monthly payments.

The salaries do not last 

He emphasised that the salaries of National Assembly members have been a major topic for discussion, noting that their allowances do not last for more than three days.

This statement has triggered reactions on social media, with Nigerians voicing out their concerns about the earnings of Nigerian lawmakers.

Reactions from Nigerians over Dogara's claim

“So dogara was getting 25,400,000 monthly then, Now the members might be getting more than 50 million,’ Aminu Maiwada tweeted. 

“So at the end of the day you took home Twenty Five Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira for only you o!!!,”Yasuke exclaimed. 

“Wicked fellow. The end is near for all the bad leaders. The world will soon end. Everyone will account for all he/she has stolen,” Amar Ibrahim criticized. 

“Nobody builds castles with salary in Nig. Hardly in the public sector, But see allowances, magnificent. Then again, why is politics damn lucrative in Nig. All manners of inexplicable allowances. Plus our taxes are shared among politicians. No infrastructure,” Anietie J added. 

“Then, you are also a thief that should be arrested and prosecuted,” Napolitano recommended. 

“Miraculous corruption,” @uzomy1x commented. 

“Ripping the country,” Ferdinand Chimezie also tweeted.  

Akpabio blames insecurity, banditry on national anthem 

Meanwhile, TheRadar had earlier reported that Senate President Godswill Akpabio came out to say that the old “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem caused insecurity and banditry in the country. 

Following his statement, Nigerians heavily criticised the Akwa Ibom senator for linking Nigeria’s perennial insecurity challenges to the national anthem.