1. BACKGROUND

Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 after several years of military dictatorship and since then, the elected Legislators/parliamentarians have devise ways of taking their salaries and allowances out of the remit of the National Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAC). It is alleged that they have done this by accepting salaries fixed for them by RMAC, but setting their allowances for themselves. The result is today's combined annual salaries and allowances of a Nigerian Senator stands at over $2 million. This is in country where the millions of citizens do not even earn the minimum wage of less than $30 a month and approximately $150 dollars per annum (N18,000.00/month and yearly salary of N18,000.00 x 12 = N216,000.00). By this calculation it will take a Nigerian earning the minimum wage a whopping 1,638 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigeria Senator.

2. RENUMERATION PACKAGE OF NIGERIAN SENATOR

A breakdown of the remuneration package of the Nigerian senator makes the whole behavior more annoying and out rightly wicked. Below is the breakdown of an average Nigerian Senator's wage;

* Basic Salary (B.S) – N2,484,245.50
* Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) – N1,242,122.70
* Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) – N4,968,509.00
* Newspapers Allowance (50% of B.S) – N1,242,122.70
* Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) – N621,061.37
* Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) – N248,424.55
* Accommodation (200% of B.S) – N4,968,509.00
* Utilities (30% of B.S) – N828,081.83
* Domestic Staff (70% of B.S) – N1,863,184.12
* Entertainment (30% of B.S) – N828,081.83
* Personal Assistants (25% of B.S) – N621,061.12
* Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75% of B.S) – N1,863,184.12
* Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) – N248,424.55
* Severance Gratuity (300% of B.S) – N7,452,736.50
* Car Allowance (400% of B.S) – N9,936,982.00
* TOTAL MONTHLY SALARY = N29,479,749.00 ($181,974.00)
* TOTAL YEARLY SALARY = N29,479,749.00 x 12 = N353,756,988.00

3. RENUMERATION PACKAGE OF NIGERIAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

At the inception of the current 8th national Assembly Nigerians  were aghast to learn that the National Assembly has requested for the release of monies to pay the legislators, amounting to a total sum of N9 billion.  And this happening at a time when many states in Nigeria are unable to pay salaries of staff with some states owing up to 11 months in salaries.

Below is the breakdown of an average Nigerian Rep's wage;

* Basic Salary (B.S) – N1,98,212.50
* Vehicle Fueling/ Maintenance  – N1,489,000.00
* Constituency Allowance  – N1,985,000.00
* Newspapers Allowance  – N297,781,00
* Wardrobe Allowance  – N496,303.00
* Recess Allowance – N198,521.00
* Accommodation – N4,968,509.00
* Utilities – N397,042.00
* Domestic Staff  – N1,488,000.00
* Entertainment – N493,303.00
* Personal Assistants – N493,303.00
* House Maintenance –N99,260.00
* Estacode –N950.00**
* Tour Duty –N35,000.00**

*Total N9, 524,985.50

**Not added to Total

N9, 524,985.50 X 360 House of Rep Members=N3, 428, 994,780.00

Others

Every 4 Years
* Accommodation – N3, 970,000.00
* Vehicle Loan – N7, 940,000.00
* Furniture – N5, 956,000.00

* Severance Gratuity – N5, 956,000.00

Total –N23, 822,000.00

N23, 822,000.00 X 360 House of Rep Members=N8,575, 920,000.00

4. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VERSUS THE 21 STATES OF THE FEDERATION.

And with an annual budget of N120 billion in the 2015 budget year, the Nigeria National assembly easily tops some states' budget. How can so few take so much from the national treasury when millions of their compatriot are living below the poverty line? Do you know that the National Assembly Budget is higher than the individual Budget of 21 States in Nigeria? (see population versus annual of some states below).

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY & 21 STATES

Do you know that the National Assembly Budget is higher than the individual Budget of 21 States in Nigeria?

Population                                              Budget

2,000+               National Assembly        N150bn

4,177,828           Anambra                      N145.3bn

3,927,563           Imo                               N137,6bn

4,653,066           Bauchi                          N133.7bn

3,314,043            Kogi                             N129bn

3,702,676            Sokoto                         N125.9bn

2,845,380            Abia                             N115,3bn

2,365,353            Kwara                          N115bn

3,278,873            Zamfara                       N114.8bn

4,361,002            Jigawa                         N114.7bn

1,869,377            Nassarawa                   N114.5bn

5,801,584            Katsina                         N113.3bn

2,365,040            Gombe                         N107.7bn

4,253,641             Benue                         N105.1bn

 2,398,957            Ekiti                             N103bn

2,321,339             Yobe                           N102.89bn

2,176,947             Ebonyi                        N99.8bn

3,954,772             Niger                          N98.8bn

3,178,950             Adamawa                   N97.9bn

3,267,837             Enugu                         N93.7bn

2,294,800             Taraba                        N83.3bn

In view of the foregoing therefore, we call on all people of conscience to join us in calling on the government of Nigeria to URGENTLY take following actions to rescue the Nigerian economy and people from total collapse and utter destitution:

1.    The RMAFC should urgently review all salaries and allowances of Nigerian Legislators/parliamentarians.

2.    Stop immediately all frivolous allowances such as wardrobe allowances. Like all other worker, the Nigeria Legislators should buy their cloth, unless they agree to wear uniforms, in which these will be sewn for them.

3.    Take urgent step to reduce the cost of governance by stopping national assembly wardrobe allowance, reducing the housing allowance, no more car allowance, only capped repayable car loan.

4.    In the event of recalcitrance from members of the Nigerian National Assembly committed to join us to call on Nigerian government to scrap the National Assembly.

5.     This is the start of the people taking back the power which belongs to then in the first place. They are public servants and they must obey us.

Signed by:

Mr. Theo Odunlami

Mr. Maurice Osimeh

Dr. Idris Ahmed

Change is continues. We stand for a clear undiluted change.