By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Kebbi South Senator, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has ignited a national conversation by stating that numerous former members of Nigeria’s National Assembly face significant financial hardship after leaving office, with some even struggling to afford their children’s school fees.
Speaking on Trust Television’s 30 Minutes programme, Senator Na’Allah challenged the widely held perception that public office in Nigeria automatically translates to personal wealth. He asserted that the financial realities for many lawmakers upon leaving the National Assembly starkly contrast with public assumptions.
“Mannir, I am giving you this assignment. Go back to your constituency or anywhere you know of people occupying public office, especially the House of Representatives and the Senate. Tell me one Senator or one member of the House of Representatives who had nothing to do before he joined politics and who, after leaving politics after one year, can even afford the children’s school fee,” Senator Na’Allah stated, directly addressing the programme’s host.
He emphasized that the internal realities of the National Assembly often differ greatly from the public’s understanding. “Some of them ventured into the National Assembly believing that it is a place to make money, only to discover that they are going to end up poorer,” he added.
While acknowledging the host’s observation that many lawmakers appear affluent, Senator Na’Allah countered by urging a deeper investigation into their post-office financial situations. “Well, that is how you see it, and that is why I am giving you this assignment. And I hope by the time you finish that assignment, you will return to this forum and tell Nigerians what your results have shown.”
Senator Na’Allah clarified that his intention was not to defend the legislature but to offer his honest perspective on its operations. “I am not here to make a case for the legislature, but I am telling you based on my honest understanding of how that place is run. The perception that the public has is completely at variance with the reality of what is happening there.”
He further suggested that the desire for future, more influential positions could explain why some lawmakers tenaciously hold onto their seats, rather than solely for financial gain in their current roles as “ordinary Senators.”
Senator Na’Allah, who served as the deputy majority leader in the 8th Senate, lost his bid for re-election in 2023. His recent statements are likely to fuel public discourse on the financial realities of political officeholders in Nigeria.
