Here's his response:
Let me say this, every human being – whether you are legislator, engineer or student – the first reaction (to request to know what one earns) is psychological. It is a lot of privacy. People don’t like to disclose them for whatever reason. Whether it is because of your child, dependants or spouse, people just don’t want to disclose it no matter how little or big what you earn is.
Let us pack that to one side. Two, people don’t differentiate between salary and allowance. There is a big difference. And that is why under most tax laws, allowance is not taxed. You don’t tax allowance because it is not yours; it is for a specific purpose. When people were comparing earnings of Nigerian and American lawmakers, they were comparing apple and orange. They are comparing an American lawmaker’s salary with Nigerian lawmaker’s salary and allowance. Even respected magazines like the Economist are saying Nigerian lawmakers are the highest paid in the world. Of course you will be the highest paid if you are comparing somebody’s salary with another person’s salary and allowance.
Now, I challenge you and I challenge anybody to get on the internet and Google-search American Senator’s allowances, not salary. I have done the research. We are talking about a minimum of $5 million for an American Senator per annum. What’s my salary as legislator? My salary is under N1m. But you are comparing somebody’s salary alone with my own salary and allowance which is meant for another thing. Now, if you want to compare orange and orange or apple and apple, you compare what I earn as salary and that of America’s lawmaker, then, you know whether I am the highest paid or not. Don’t forget an American lawmaker does not pay for school fees or rents for his constituents. He does not buy Okada (motorcycles) or pay for naming ceremonies. Of course, I am not bothered. But you compare what demand is made on American Senator and his Nigerian counterpart. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is D person that wants to be a speaker, Nigerian must be careful in selecting their leaders. If we operate American system, why not compare.
ReplyDeleteFor real...
ReplyDeleteYou guys can't tell Nigerians your total pay because it so outrageous!!! Your salaries are what make-up Nigeria's recurrent expenditure so unprecedented high & capital expenditure so low accounting for the Impoverishment we see everywhere... Shame on you guys playing the devil's advocate! Remember there is retribution here on earth & life after!!!
ReplyDeleteDon’t forget an American lawmaker does not pay for school fees or rents for his constituents. He does not buy Okada (motorcycles) or pay for naming ceremonies. Of course, I am not bothered. But you compare what demand is made on American Senator and his Nigerian counterpart. Paying for naming ceremonies is you buying votes so give me brake.
ReplyDeleteShameless greedy people. The masses are dying of hunger as some states have not paid salaries for months, yet they are smiling home with millions of Naira as salaries and allowances. The allowances are spent by the lawmakers. Why would it not be considered as their total pay for the purpose of comparison?
ReplyDeleteWere ! Olosi! Olori buruku! Idiotic fool! Soon you will be climbing over the gates of motor parks just like you did to NASS gate for motor park is supposed to be your constituency. Tout! Idiotic fool!
ReplyDelete