A former Senator, who represented Kebbi South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has made a startling revelation about the financial realities facing many members of the National Assembly, stating that several lawmakers who ventured into politics with hopes of amassing wealth ended up poorer after their tenure in ths Parliament.
LEADERSHIP reports that Na’Allah, a former deputy majority leader in the 8th Senate, lost his re-election to the Senate in 2023 as he was defeated by Garba Maidoki who polled 75,232 votes while he scored 70,785.
Speaking during an interview on Trust Television’s ’30 Minutes’ programme, monitored by our correspondent, Senator Na’Allah challenged the widespread belief that public office is a pathway to riches.
“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 said.
In a candid exchange with the show’s host, the former lawmaker issued a striking challenge, “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 afford even the children’s school fee.”
When pressed further by the TV show host, who argued that most representatives do not appear to struggle financially, Na’Allah replied, “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 come back on this forum and tell Nigerians what your results have shown.”
He continued, “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.”
Senator Na’Allah also explained that many lawmakers continue to hold on to their seats in the hope of gaining higher government positions. “It is an issue of hope. You are hoping that tomorrow I might be the Senate President, I might be this. That may be the reason, but not to remain as an ordinary Senator.”
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