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N21m monthly salary: Disclose running costs or face legal action- SERAP tells NASS leadership
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to disclose the “exact amount of monthly running costs” allotted to members of the National Assembly.
SERAP requested the spending details of any of such running costs as well.
This was contained in a statement dated August 17, 2024, signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP.
The group’s demand is coming on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the salary of Senators.
A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, had stated that Senators receive over N13 million monthly, but the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission faulted his claim.
In its statement however, SERAP urged the NASS leadership to “promptly end the alleged practice by the National Assembly of fixing its own salaries, allowances and running costs, in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the country’s international obligations.”
It also called them “to end the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers, and to refer the alleged misuse or mismanagement of the running costs to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution where there is relevant admissible evidence.”
The statement also urged the NASS leadership to “promptly disclose the total amount of running costs that have so far been paid to and received by the lawmakers and to ensure the return of any misused or mismanaged public funds.”
The organisation said: “We are concerned about the practice by the lawmakers of fixing their salaries, allowances, and running costs, as well as the opacity and the spending of millions of naira in running costs by lawmakers.”
It added, “The constitutional oath of office of lawmakers requires them to ensure transparency and accountability in the exact amounts of salaries, allowances and running costs they receive.”
The letter, read in part: “The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its own salaries, allowances and running costs.”
“The allegations that members of the National Assembly are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the object and purpose of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”
‘Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account.’”
“In the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, members lawmakers commit to strive to ‘preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution’, [and to] perform their ‘functions honestly, faithfully’, to act ‘always in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria’.”
“Lawmakers also commit ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria; and abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.’”
“‘Public function’ means activities in the public interest, not against it. The reports that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs amount to private self-interest or self-dealing. It is also detrimental to the public interest.”
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs. The running costs are reportedly paid directly into the personal accounts of members.”
“Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed in an interview with BBC Hausa that each Nigerian senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.”
“Mr Sumaila reportedly said, ‘My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000. Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.’”
“According to reports, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).”
Party realignments in the House of Representatives gathered further pace as more lawmakers crossed over to rival platforms, underscoring intensifying political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 elections.
During plenary, presided over by the Speaker, a fresh batch of six members from the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party formally defected to the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.
The shift was particularly notable within the Kano caucus, where four NNPP lawmakers abandoned their party to align with the ADC, signalling a significant shake-up in the state’s political configuration.
The latest movement adds to an already growing trend of defections within the lower chamber, as legislators continue to reposition themselves amid evolving alliances and internal party tensions.
Speaker Abbas read the letter of resignation from the NNPP lawmakers, which noted “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” as reason for aligning with the ADC.
“I find it imperative to align with a platform that guarantees inclusion and I hereby notify the House of my intention to join the African Democratic Congress,” the letter read in part.
Still in Kano, three members of of the NNPP, Rep. Umar Zakari, Rep. Umar Datti and Rep. Abdulhakeem Ado resigned their membership from the NNPP and joined the ADC, citing protracted leadership crises both at the sub-national and national levels.
In Zamfara State, Rep. Ahmadu Kabiru, member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency stated his resignation from the PDP “with immediate effect due to irreconciliable differences.”
He therefore announced his decision to join the APC, pleading his readiness to “align with the transformatory policies of the President as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Also defecting from the PDP to APC is Rep. Chinedu Martins, member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State.
The lawmaker from Imo State confirmed that his switch to the APC had been concluded at ward level as far back as March 2026.
Following the steady stream of defections in recent months, the APC continues to dominate the House with a commanding 282 members. The PDP trails significantly with 30 seats, while the ADC has emerged as a growing force with 24 lawmakers.
Other parties hold smaller blocs, with the Labour Party at 10 seats, APGA with five, and the Accord Party controlling four. The Action Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party each have two members, leaving the NNPP with just a single seat in the chamber.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh set of appointments across critical institutions in Nigeria’s education sector, reinforcing leadership in examination bodies, technical education, and national library services.
The appointments were confirmed in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday.
New and Renewed Appointments
Among those appointed is Modupe Adeola Adelabu, who will serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Examinations Council.
Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi has been retained as Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body.
In the technical education space, Babatunde Salako has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education.
Meanwhile, Idris Bugaje has been reappointed as Executive Secretary of NBTE for a second and final five-year term.
Polytechnic and Library Leadership
The President also approved the appointment of Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N’yak-Shendam in Plateau State, where he will serve a five-year tenure.
Additionally, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has had her tenure renewed as Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria for a final five-year term.
Focus on Continuity and Stability
The mix of fresh appointments and renewals suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining stability while strengthening leadership across key education agencies.
Observers say such decisions are critical to sustaining reforms, improving institutional performance, and ensuring continuity in policy implementation within the sector.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment regarding an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reinstate its national convention, which was previously nullified by the Court of Appeal.
The convention in question took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A five-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a date for the final ruling would be communicated to all parties involved.
This decision followed the adoption of written briefs by legal representatives for and against the appeal.
The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP is urging the apex court to set aside the lower court’s decision, which invalidated the Ibadan convention.
The faction maintains that the dispute is an “internal party affair, which is not justiciable,” and argues that all necessary legal procedures were followed during the event.
However, previous rulings from the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal favored aggrieved members, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention’s outcomes and restricting access to the party’s national secretariat.
The legal trouble began in October 2025, when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention from proceeding.
The judge ruled that the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution, stating that the party must comply with “relevant statutory provisions including the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022).”
A second major blow came from Justice Peter Lifu, who ordered the party to halt the convention after a suit was filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido alleged he was unfairly excluded from the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu noted:“The evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.”
On November 14, 2025—just one day before the event—Justice Lifu issued a final order restraining the party from moving forward, holding that the PDP had failed to “afford a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido the opportunity to prepare and contest as a chairmanship candidate.”
With the Supreme Court now set to have the final say, the PDP remains in a state of legal uncertainty as it awaits the verdict that will determine the legitimacy of its current national leadership.
Defections Deepen as NNPP, PDP Lawmakers Switch Sides in Reps
BREAKING: Tinubu endorses six new appointments in education sector
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