Junaid Mohammed says Nigeria can no longer afford to pay full-time lawmakers

Dr. Junaid Mohammed, a second republic politician, has advised the country to consider electing legislators on full time because the country cannot afford to pay them.

The idea of electing legislators on a part-time basis was brought into the front burner some years ago when it was discovered that Nigeria is among few countries that spend a huge amount of money to maintain its lawmakers.

However, Mohammed said that it is longer feasible for the country to continue engaging members of the National Assembly on full time.

He said, “I have said it before and I will continue to say it that Nigeria cannot afford the luxury of electing legislators on full time basis.”

Mohammed, who stated that the National Assembly in the Second Republic is different from what we have today, described the allegation of corruption by Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin as a manifestation of the level of indiscipline among lawmakers.

“I am proud to be associated with the National Assembly in the second republic because throughout our time between 1979 to December 1983, no serious allegation of corruption was leveled against any member.

“The only case we had that time was the one that involved one Ibrahim Barau which we later discovered to be a political vendetta.

“I don’t know what Jibrin has against Dogara but the important thing is that members should emulate Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila and subject themselves for investigation.”

Mohammed stressed that the allegation of corruption in the National Assembly can only be referred to the present members.

“When I heard of several allegation of corruption going on in the National Assembly, I expressed gratitude to God that I am no longer there.”