Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on July 9 that Nigerian lawmakers do not earn exorbitant salaries and often face financial hardship after leaving office. He challenged widespread misperceptions, stating that once senators exit the National Assembly, “you are looking for money to even treat yourself,” highlighting the reality of limited post-tenure support.
Speaking during a memorial session for the late Senator Caleb Zagi who had appealed to colleagues for financial help shortly before his death. Akpabio emphasised that public belief in legislators amassing wealth is misleading. “Some people think that we come here to make money. They don’t know that we come here to sacrifice for the growth of the nation,” he said.
He praised Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for personally contributing to support Zagi during illness and urged Nigerians to recognise the sacrifices lawmakers make. “But once you step out of the national assembly, you are looking for money to even treat yourself, which shows the fallacy of all the insinuations and innuendos thrown at the legislators,” he added.
