By Olayinka Iroye
I was stirred to write this piece after watching a full interview of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Channels Television, shared on my GSS Ilorin Old Boys WhatsApp platform. In that interview, the Senator, a two-time former governor and now a sitting lawmaker, lamented that his ₦14 million monthly salary is not enough to sustain him. I was shocked, then angered not just at the statement itself, but at what it represents: a brazen disconnect between our political elite and the reality of life for millions of ordinary Nigerians.
At a time when the average Nigerian is struggling to afford one square meal, when civil servants’ salaries cannot take them home, and when insecurity, hunger, and economic hardship have become the daily reality, such a remark is both tone-deaf and insulting. How can someone in public service, entrusted with the welfare of the people, make such a declaration with a straight face on national television?
This is the same Senate that, upon inauguration, quickly approved the purchase of brand-new luxury vehicles costing the nation hundreds of millions of naira. They did this without hesitation, even as fuel prices soared, inflation climbed, and unemployment ravaged the youth. By the utterances of Orji Uzor Kalu the clear message is, he is not in the National Assembly to serve but to enrich himself.
I strongly align with the suggestion made by respected public affairs analyst Dr. Reuben Abati, who advocated for Nigeria to abolish one of its legislative chambers and adopt a unicameral legislature operating on a part-time basis. This is not just a sensible idea, it is a survival strategy for a country bleeding resources.
The current bicameral National Assembly is fast becoming a wasteful and burdensome structure, with overlapping functions, outrageous allowances, and minimal impact on the real issues that affect Nigerians. We spend billions of naira annually maintaining lawmakers who often prioritize personal gain over national interest. Worse still, some are absentee legislators with poor track records of bills sponsored or contributions made on the floor.
We must restructure our legislative system in a way that reflects our economic reality and compels our leaders to work for the people. Let’s have a unicameral Legislature on a Part-Time Basis and run a single-chamber parliament, with members sitting only when necessary. This will cut costs drastically and reduce political redundancy.
Constituency allowances have become another avenue for siphoning public funds. We need independent citizen panels or NGOs to monitor these projects in real-time and publish findings. We must entrench a culture of accountability and transparency at all levels.
The true engine of governance, the civil servants remain the most neglected. Their salaries and working conditions must be improved if we are serious about governance. Nigeria cannot continue this way. We must stop feeding the excesses of a privileged few while the majority of our population suffers in silence. If a Senator feels ₦14 million is not enough, then we must ask what exactly did he wants?
Recently, Federal workers had to block the gate of the Federal Ministry of Finance before receiving the first installment of their long-overdue wage arrears payments of just 35k, delayed for almost a year despite repeated promises. Had it been the National Assembly, the funds would have been released promptly, even in advance. Civil servants continue to suffer neglect, while lawmakers ensure their own entitlements are prioritized. Only God knows when the second installment will be paid. In this context, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s claim that ₦14 million monthly salary is not enough for a senator is not only insensitive but also a glaring reflection of how disconnected some political office holders are from the struggles of ordinary Nigeria.
Until we reengineer our political structure, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and disillusionment.
May democracy never fails in Nigeria again.
