Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian president has defended federal lawmakers’ pay and said it is very incorrect to believe they are overpaid.
The president said Nigerians lack of trust on lawmakers, makes it impossible for them to see the huge and good work they do for the country.
Buhari made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city at the event where the House of Representatives launched “The Green Chamber Magazine”.
The president while speaking at the event, said the lawmakers did not share any money without working to justify whatever they got.
At the event, Buhari said, a belief that lawmakers are overpaid and share money without working hard to justify it, is erroneous, and, that should not be encouraged.
The president pointed out that with the launch of the magazine, the public will have reliable information about what happens and how activities are been conducted in the parliament.
He also said the magazine will help the lawmakers tell their stories and change the wrong narrative about them.
Mr. Plo Lumumba, former Director of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption Commission and Director of the Kenya School of Laws, was a keynote speaker at the event.
Speaking at the event, Lumumba charged the Nigerian lawmakers to set an example for other African countries to follow.
He admonished the lawmakers to learn from the leadership style of late Mr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was called the Zik of Africa because of his Africanism and perfect exemplary leadership.
Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, House of Representatives Speaker, while speaking at the event, thanked the media for their role in Nigeria’s democracy, pointing out that democracy wouldn’t have been possible in the country without the daring role of the media.