Former Senator for Adamawa North, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, recently disclosed during an interview with Arise TV on Monday, that during his time in the Senate, he earned N14.4 million monthly.
However, he noted that current senators now receive a monthly sum of N29 million. This figure, according to Abbo, includes a salary of N1 million plus allowances.
Despite the significant increase in senators’ earnings, Abbo argued that the N29 million is relatively modest considering the vast responsibilities and demands placed on members of the Upper Chamber.
He highlighted that in comparison, state governors reportedly earn between N700 million and N1 billion every month, which he believes dwarfs the earnings of senators.
“I am paying a lot of people’s scholarship in my office, I am subsidizing some people’s life in my office, while a state governor in this country is going home with over N700 million every single month, some go home with N1 billion.”
In the interview, Abbo emphasized that while the figure of N29 million might appear substantial on paper, it does not accurately reflect the financial strain associated with the role.
He described the amount as inadequate, especially given the myriad of challenges and expectations that senators face.
Reflecting on his time in the Senate, Abbo shared that his combined monthly salary and allowances amounted to approximately N14.4 million.
He compared this with his earnings as a private citizen, where he had been the Managing Director and CEO of a company he founded.
After winning the election, he had to step down from his role in the company to take up his responsibilities as a senator, which, according to him, led to a significant reduction in his income.
“When I was in the Senate, my monthly salary and allowances put together was about N14.4 million, and at the end of the month, the company I founded, which I was the managing director and CEO, when I won the election, I had to leave the company to go into governance, I had to start subsiding my own life.”
Abbo explained that the N14 million allocated to his office was insufficient to meet the demands placed on him by constituents from Adamawa State and beyond.
He recounted how his office was frequently visited by people seeking financial assistance for various needs, including scholarships and other personal expenses.
The pressure was so intense that he often had to reach out to state governors to assist with requests originating from their states.
