Former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed strong disapproval towards members of the National Assembly, criticizing their exorbitant salary package. During a colloquium commemorating Aare Afe Babalola’s 60th anniversary at the bar in Ado-Ekiti, Obasanjo condemned the legislators’ remuneration as both unconstitutional and immoral.
Obasanjo emphasized the importance of democracy positively impacting the lives of ordinary people, stating that its true value is only realized when it brings tangible improvements to the masses. He described democracy as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed destination, highlighting the significance of adhering to and implementing the constitution.
Addressing the issue of National Assembly members’ pay, Obasanjo directly accused them of bypassing the constitutional process meant to determine their salaries and emoluments. Instead, the legislators took it upon themselves to fix their remuneration, disregarding the authority of the institution responsible for such matters—the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission.
Obasanjo firmly stated that even if their actions were deemed constitutional, they remained morally unjustifiable. He criticized the legislators for deviating from the constitution and disregarding the moral standards expected of public officials entrusted with such responsibilities
