Dogara defends colleagues in the legislative arm

● Reveals he earned N25 million as allowances while serving as House Speaker

By PHC Telegraph

Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives has come out in defense of the legislative institution whose members are being accused of miing the nation.

Dogara debunked claims that federal lawmakers who have been in the public eye for accepting SUVs bought by the National Assembly were drawing humongous salaries and earning fabulous allowances at a time of great economic strife.

He disclosed that he received a total allowance of 25 million naira as well as a monthly salary of N400,000 during his tenure as Speaker.

It is the first time since he exited from the National Assembly that the former Speaker is opening up on the issue of members’ pay.

Dogara emphasised that the allowances paid to him while in office were deliberately used for the upkeep of his constituents.

“While I was Speaker”, Dogora explained, “my salary was 400 thousand Naira and my total allowance was 25 million naira.

“I told my accountant to open a separate account for the allowances and I never for once took any money out of that account. Everything that came into that account was used to cater for the needs of constituents.

“My accountant complained of the level of demand on the account and I told him if the money there is finished, borrow, and when money comes to it you return to were you had taken money from.

“I am saying this so Nigerians will give their legislatures breathing space and know that the narrative is not true about members’ pay.”