-Deborah Akinyosoye
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North in the National Assembly, has revealed that his total monthly earnings as a lawmaker amount to N14 million.
The former governor of Abia State made this disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he addressed several misconceptions about the lifestyle of Nigerian legislators.
Kalu debunked the widespread belief that lawmakers live in excessive luxury while the masses struggle with poverty.
He clarified that his monthly income of N14 million covers overhead costs, staff salaries, and other operational expenses tied to his role as a senator.
“I earn N14 million for everything in a month. That is everything encompassing, the overhead, the worker’s salary, everybody,” Kalu stated.
He further argued that this amount is inadequate to cover key expenses such as fuel for travel to his constituency and maintaining his constituency office.
The senator also addressed the criticism surrounding the provision of luxury vehicles to lawmakers, which has long been a controversial issue among Nigerians.
Contrary to popular opinion, Kalu insisted that individual lawmakers do not receive personal vehicles.
According to him, only the committees within the National Assembly are assigned official vehicles.
“I am in the Senate, and a lot of things are said about the senators. I sit there quietly and watch, and most of these things are not true.
“ All I know is that committees get vehicles; no lawmaker is given any vehicle,” Kalu affirmed.
On the topic of Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Senator Kalu acknowledged the hardship faced by citizens but pointed out that the impact of COVID-19 has been felt globally.
He explained that the difference between Nigeria and some other countries lies in their longer-term economic planning and stability, which has lessened the pandemic’s financial blow for them.
“The only reason some countries are no longer feeling the COVID-19 impact the way Nigeria is feeling it is because they have built a robust economy for a very long period,” Kalu said.
He expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s awareness of the nation’s economic difficulties and reassured Nigerians that the administration is taking steps to tackle the challenges.
“The president himself knows that Nigerians are suffering and hungry.
“He is a street person; he knows the street very well.
“The president, some nights, uses his car to go around and know what is happening in Abuja here,” Kalu disclosed.