Politics
Kano Senator Reveals Earnings Amid Controversy Over Lawmakers Salaries
In the midst of ongoing debates about the salaries of federal lawmakers in Nigeria, fresh insights have emerged, intensifying scrutiny around their financial packages against the backdrop of the nation’s economic challenges.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently stirred the pot by alleging that National Assembly members set exorbitant salaries for themselves, violating existing regulations.
This prompted Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South in the 10th Senate under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), to disclose his own earnings, claiming he receives a total of N21 million monthly in salary and allowances.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Senator Sumaila clarified that his official salary, after deductions, amounts to just over N600,000.
However, he stated that each senator is allocated N21 million per month for running costs, a figure that has sparked further debate.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) countered this claim, asserting that the actual monthly salary and allowances for senators total N1,063,860.
This amount includes a basic salary of N168,866.70, motor vehicle fueling and maintenance allowances, and various other benefits like constituency and utility allowances.
RMAFC Chairman Muhammed Bello Shehu addressed the controversy, outlining the components of senators’ pay, including regular and non-regular allowances.
He emphasised that while certain allowances are consistently paid along with basic salaries, others, such as furniture and severance gratuities, are issued once per tenure.
The discourse surrounding lawmakers’ salaries has been fueled by former President Obasanjo’s allegations, as well as statements from ex-Senator Shehu Sani, who indicated that senators receive significant running costs beyond the RMAFC’s stipulated amounts.
As public scrutiny continues, RMAFC has urged citizens to refer to the official remuneration details available on their website to dispel misinformation.
They acknowledge a gap in enforcement power regarding the adherence to the remuneration package, a concern that the National Assembly is currently addressing.
Many Nigerians suspect that lawmakers may be taking advantage of legal loopholes to enrich themselves, lending credence to the claims made by former President Obasanjo.
The ongoing revelations highlight the critical need for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s legislative framework.
Politics
2027: Aregbesola, Fayemi and Others Poised to Join SDP as Obi and Atiku Factions Forge Alliance – Insider Report
Recent reports indicate that Rauf Aregbesola, the former Governor of Osun State, and Kayode Fayemi, the former Governor of Ekiti State, are currently in negotiations to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Additionally, sources reveal that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, along with former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, discontented members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and several ex-Ministers from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are also considering a move to the SDP.
This development occurs amid ongoing discussions regarding a coalition among opposition parties, aimed at presenting a united front to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the upcoming 2027 elections.
According to insider information, the coalition will likely include Atiku Abubakar’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi’s faction of the Labour Party (LP), and Nasir El-Rufai, who has recently defected to the SDP.
The opposition parties are reportedly strategising to unite under an existing registered party. However, should they fail to reach a consensus on a common platform within the party they wish to join, they may opt to align with the SDP instead, as per sources cited by our correspondent.
It is noteworthy that Kola Ologbondiyan, the former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, has suggested that talks of a merger among opposition politicians are gaining momentum. During a recent appearance on the AIT Focus programme, Ologbondiyan expressed optimism that the opposition would present initiatives that could inspire hope among Nigerians.
The former PDP spokesperson asserted that defeating the current government would be achievable, given the proposals that opposition leaders are preparing to unveil.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has welcome the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the party.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Monday morning in what is being seen as a strategic realignment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
His defection was confirmed on Monday, with SDP leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, welcoming him into the party.
Adebayo described El-Rufai’s entry as a significant boost to the SDP’s vision, calling it a “moment of renewed hope for Nigeria.”
He also praised the former governor’s leadership and work ethic, noting that his presence would strengthen the party’s push for reforms.
“With the hardworking and sagacious Mallam joining our ranks, an avid worker for the people has been enlisted in our forces against poverty and insecurity,” Adebayo wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) follows his growing discontent with the ruling party’s direction.
The former governor cited a misalignment between his values and the APC’s current trajectory as a key factor in his decision.
Adebayo also used the occasion to call on other like-minded politicians and citizens to rally behind the SDP’s mission of addressing governance failures in Nigeria.
“There is no time to waste. Join us on the march again! God bless Nigeria,” he urged.
El-Rufai, who previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term Governor of Kaduna State, brings extensive political and administrative experience to his new party.
His move is expected to shape political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.
The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.
Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.