Senator Orji Kalu has revealed his monthly salary as a Nigerian Senator, sparking conversations about lawmakers’ earnings and transparency in public office.
Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North in Nigeria’s Senate, has provided clarification on his monthly income to address public perceptions about the financial status of lawmakers.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s program “Politics Today,” Kalu revealed that his total monthly income as a Senator is N14 million.
“I earn N14 million monthly, which covers all expenses including overhead and salaries for everyone,” Kalu mentioned.
The former governor of Abia State also highlighted that the income is allocated to various expenses, including transportation to his constituency and upkeep of his constituency office.
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He argued that the amount is not enough to fulfill these responsibilities, challenging the perception that lawmakers are excessively wealthy while ordinary people struggle economically.
In response to criticisms regarding lawmakers receiving luxury vehicles, Kalu clarified that individual Senators do not receive official cars. He stated that only the committees in the National Assembly are allocated vehicles.
“I am a member of the Senate, and many things are said about Senators. As I sit quietly observing, I’ve noticed that most of these claims aren’t true. What I do know is that committees receive vehicles; however, no individual lawmaker is provided with any vehicle,” Kalu clarified.
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Economic Challenges and Tinubu’s Recognition
The Senator recognized the economic hardships confronting Nigerians and observed that these challenges are part of a global trend. He attributed some of Nigeria’s economic issues to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that nations with well-established, robust economies have been able to recover more quickly.
Kalu also commended President Bola Tinubu for his understanding of the difficulties faced by citizens, noting that the president has been taking steps to observe and address the situation directly.
“The president is well aware that Nigerians are facing hardship and hunger. He has a strong connection to the streets and understands them deeply. Some nights, he drives around Abuja in his own car to observe and understand the situation firsthand,” Kalu remarked.
This open discussion highlights the realities of legislative earnings and the initiatives to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges in response to public criticism of the National Assembly.
