A member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Chinedu Obika, has revealed that one of his colleagues was unable to raise ₦700,000 to pay his daughter’s school fees two months ago, prompting him to personally assist with the payment.
Obika, who represents the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, made the disclosure while responding to the widespread belief that members of the National Assembly earn excessively high salaries and allowances.
He said the incident demonstrates that not all lawmakers enjoy the level of financial comfort often associated with membership of the National Assembly.
According to Obika, the fact that some lawmakers remain silent on certain issues should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that they have been induced or are benefiting from their positions, as some of them do not receive any extraordinary financial advantage.
He also stated that all official salaries, allowances, and entitlements of members of the House of Representatives are publicly available and can be verified. He urged Nigerians to rely on verifiable facts rather than rumours or unsubstantiated allegations.
However, Obika did not disclose the identity of the colleague who was unable to pay his daughter’s school fees.
