PeakNews Online
Former Senator Shehu Sani has disclosed that he was nearly suspended from the Senate for six months in 2018 after publicly revealing the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Sani stated that his disclosure almost led to disciplinary action against him, but he was “rescued” by then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
“When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the senators, it nearly earned me a six-month suspension if not for divine intervention, Saraki and Ekweremadu’s immediate rescue,” Sani wrote.
Sani’s 2018 Revelation: Senators’ Earnings Exposed
In March 2018, Shehu Sani shocked Nigerians when he revealed that each senator received:
₦13.5 million monthly as a running cost
₦200 million annually for constituency projects
His disclosure sparked public outrage, as the salaries and allowances of federal lawmakers had always been shrouded in secrecy. Many of his colleagues condemned him, arguing that the revelations put them under unnecessary public scrutiny.
Sani’s recent comments appear to be a reflection on the risks of exposing internal Senate affairs, warning that any senator who “blows the whistle too loudly” will have to face the consequences alone.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension: A Similar Fate?
Sani’s statement comes just after the Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) for six months following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was sanctioned after she accused Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her, a claim she made in a February 28 interview with Arise TV.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions reviewed the matter and recommended her suspension, which was swiftly adopted by the Senate.
Sani’s post suggests that lawmakers who challenge the status quo within the Senate often face severe pushback, as seen in both his own case and that of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
A Pattern of Retaliation?
The Senate has a history of disciplining members who disclose sensitive information or challenge leadership:
Ali Ndume (Borno South) was suspended for six months in 2017 after calling for investigations into corruption allegations against Saraki and Ekweremadu.
Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) was suspended for 90 days in 2018 after opposing amendments to the Electoral Act.
Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) is currently facing threats of suspension after alleging that ₦3.7 trillion was inserted into the 2024 budget without proper allocation details.
With Sani’s reflection on his past ordeal and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension, it appears that the Senate continues to use disciplinary measures to silence dissenting voices.
Implications for Legislative Transparency
Sani’s experience highlights the lack of transparency in Nigeria’s National Assembly, where key financial details remain hidden from the public.
His 2018 revelation of senators’ earnings was a rare instance of insider disclosure that fueled demands for greater accountability in governance. However, his near-suspension suggests that lawmakers who attempt to expose Senate secrets risk severe consequences.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case further illustrates how internal conflicts and power struggles within the Senate often lead to punitive actions against perceived dissenters.
Sani’s latest statement serves as a warning about the dangers of challenging Senate leadership or revealing confidential information. With Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension fresh in public discourse, his remarks may reignite conversations about legislative transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression within the National Assembly.
