8.64 Billion wardrobe; Legislators and RMAFC

8.64 Billion wardrobe; Legislators and RMAFC

This article is not aimed at debating the enormity of the National Assembly wardrobe allowance or other allowances, but to shed more light on who wields the Constitutional powers to change the National Assembly's allowance and pay structure.

Though i share the opinion that political offices be made less lucrative, but this blog is not about personal opinions but about presenting facts to increase people's participation and perception about the Legislature, and also correcting the misconception that has formed the basement complex of both our terrestrial and social media platforms.




Setting the record straight, it is important to note that legislators who have promised to slash the allowances/salaries of the National Assembly were all first timer legislators, and made such statements as Senator or Member-elect. Therefore such statements cannot be categorized as 100% informed statements, on the contrary no Senator nor Member is Constitutional empowered to slash the National Assembly's pay.

Having read numerous tweets, Facebook posts, Google+ posts, blogs, chats and listening to diverse radio and television stations, it is safe to say what is trending on the lips of most Nigerians is #LegislatorsReduceYourPay. This has formed the basis for discussions; everybody wants the National Assembly to do something about their allowances, in the face of the dwindling revenue.

Are Nigerians asking the right questions? By all means yes. Are we asking the right people? By all means no. Section 32 (d) Part I of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution gives the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) powers to

 "determine remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of office mentioned in section 84 and 124"

This Subsection of the Constitution as amended shows that the National Assembly has no powers of its own to determine their allowances. Establishing this fact helps in pointing out the right people/institution to ask the right questions. Therefore, as a nation can we begin to ask RMAFC the following questions? Are legislators actually getting close to 9 billion for just robe allowance? How do RMAFC arrive at such figures? Can RMAFC make available to the general public the parameters and process employed to determine allowances? Can we have an open remuneration and monetization committee of the Fiscal Efficiency department? Can RMAFC publish on their website why and how the National Assembly is getting close to 9 billion for clothes?

The right questions in the right direction can achieve a lot; in this case the right direction is Fiscal Efficiency department of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.