Senator Orji Kalu’s recent comment that the N14 million he receives as a senator ‘is not enough’ should make citizens demand more accountability from their lawmakers and leaders in general.
Development Diaries reports that the former governor of Abia State, in a recent television interview, said he earns N14 million monthly as the senator representing Abia North.
Kalu’s remarks demonstrate a disturbing lack of empathy for the millions of Nigerians who are suffering due to government policies that have led to inflation, unemployment, and increased poverty.
In its 2024 Nigeria Development Update (NDU), the World Bank reported that 129 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line.
While public officials live in relative comfort, the people they are supposed to serve endure hardship daily.
Such insensitivity from a lawmaker is unacceptable and only serves to deepen the disconnect between elected leaders and the masses, and raises serious questions about the priorities of elected officials in a country where millions of citizens struggle daily to make ends meet.
Our concern here is the need for Nigerian citizens to not relent in demanding accountability from their lawmakers and leaders generally.
In response to Senator Kalu’s statement, BudgIT asked a pertinent question.
Dear Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu @OUKtweets,
Is it because your N14m monthly salary is not enough, so you are now short-changing Nigerians and facilitating poor projects up and down? 🤔
Come and see the road you facilitated.
Between 2020 and 2023, N199 million was paid to Oxford… pic.twitter.com/5Gd5UF2p4T
— BudgIT Nigeria (@BudgITng) October 18, 2024
This question and revelation by BudgIT have thrown open an opportunity for citizens, especially those from the senator’s constituency, to demand accountability for monies spent on projects.
For instance, the demand for explanations regarding the N199 million road project facilitated by Senator Kalu underscores the need for transparency.
Without active participation, Nigerians cannot effectively demand better governance or ensure that public resources are used to benefit society.
Another concerning aspect of Nigeria’s political landscape is the loyalty of some lawmakers to the executive arm of government, often at the expense of the electorate.
Lawmakers should represent the voices of their constituencies, holding the executive accountable and advocating for policies that improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians. However, when legislators align more with the government in power than with their constituents, it diminishes the power of democratic governance and erodes public trust.
Development Diaries calls on Nigerians to be vigilant, continuously demand accountability and ensure that those in power serve their interests.
Lawmakers should remember that their primary duty is to the people, not themselves or the executive.
Photo source: Sen Orji Uzor Kalu
