There is an uneasy calm in the Senate wing of the National Assembly as most legislators are gearing up for an epic showdown against its leadership under Bukola Saraki.
READ ALSO: President Buhari’s Adviser Exposes the Jumbo Allowances of Senators
Members of the upper chambers have declared war on the leadership as a result of the continuous delay in the payment of allowances by the National Assembly bureaucracy, The Sun exclusively reports.
It was learnt that the last minute postponement of the resumption announced by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Omolori, was to give the leadership of the Senate time to calm frayed nerves of members who besieged the office of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and that of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
Senators, it was authoritatively gathered, were unhappy with the senate president and other principal officers over the repeated delay in the payment of their allowances.
Some senators told Daily Sun that they were paid their “paltry” August salaries before the Sallah break, adding that the “juicy” allowances which run into millions of naira were frequently delayed.
For instance, the lawmakers said they were yet to receive their August allowances, despite the fact that the money had been lodged into a new generation bank as at August 30.
Three lawmakers who spoke with a correspondent in separate interviews, but did not want their names mentioned, said they were already gearing up to confront the Senate leadership next Tuesday at plenary, before the one week postponement was suddenly announced on Wednesday.
READ ALSO: Tell Nigerians If It’s True That A Senator Gets Over N3bn Yearly, SERAP Tells Saraki
One of the lawmakers who hails from one of the states in the South South, claimed that the delay in the payment of their monthly allowances has become a reccurring practice and threatened that lawmakers had already resolved to challenge Saraki.
He insinuated that the resumption date was postponed for fears that angry lawmakers could spring up surprises at plenary.
The senator said though he did not acquire a loan from a commercial bank to fund his election in 2015, his colleagues who were yet to pay off their debts were on the verge of losing their property, which they used as collateral.
Another lawmaker said over 70 per cent of senators did not travel to their respective constituencies during the long break because of the delay in the payment of their salaries and allowances.
He said some of the lawmakers besieged offices of principal officers during the week to demand for explanations on why their outstanding allowances were yet to be paid.
Senate spokesman, Abdullahi Sabi could not be reached for comments. One of his aides, who responded, said his principal was currently indisposed.
But when contacted, media adviser to the Senate President, Yusuf Olaniyonu, said the alleged delay was not the fault of his principal, adding that the Ministry of Finance was in charge of releases.
He, however, dispelled claims that the shift in the resumption date was to buy time and appease aggrieved senators.
READ ALSO: RESTRUCTURING: APC Panel Lists 12 Core Issues To Be Addressed ... See List
Are you an artiste? Do you want your music to go viral and reach a large number of audience? Promote your music and Submit your story on Ujuayalogusblog.com by clicking here. For Advert Inquiries Tel/+44(0)7590363984 Subscribe to Ujuayalogusblog.com News!
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2015-2017 @ Uju Ayalogu's Blog NIGERIAN NEWS
For More: Visit Us at Uju Ayalogu's Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment