Why Lawmakers Go Broke After Leaving Office, Opines Na’Allah

A former Nigerian Senator, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, has made a shocking revelation about the financial struggles faced by many former lawmakers after leaving office. According to Na’Allah, several ex-lawmakers are struggling to make ends meet, with some unable to afford even the most basic necessities, including their children’s school fees.

Na’Allah, who represented Kebbi South in the 8th Senate, made the disclosure in a recent interview, painting a picture of a grim reality that contradicts the popular perception of lawmakers as being wealthy and influential.

“Many former lawmakers are struggling to survive, and it’s a sad reality that we don’t often talk about

. “Some of them are finding it difficult to pay their children’s school fees, while others are struggling to maintain their homes and feed their families,” Na’Allah said.

Na’Allah attributed the financial struggles of ex-lawmakers to a combination of factors, including the lack of a robust pension scheme, limited job opportunities after leaving office, and the high cost of living in Nigeria.

“When you’re in office, you’re seen as a big man, and people expect you to live up to that image. But the reality is that many lawmakers are not as wealthy as people think, and when they leave office, they’re often left with nothing,” he noted.

Na’Allah’s revelation has sparked a heated debate about the welfare of former lawmakers and the need for a more comprehensive pension scheme to support them after they leave office.

“This is a wake-up call for all of us, we need to start thinking about the welfare of our colleagues after they leave office, and work towards creating a more sustainable pension scheme that can support them,” said Shehu Sani, former Senator that represented Kaduna Central.

The Nigerian Senate has a total of 109 members, with each senator earning a monthly salary of N13.5 million, in addition to other allowances and benefits. However, Na’Allah’s revelation suggests that many lawmakers may not be saving enough for the future, and are instead living from hand to mouth.

The financial struggles of ex-lawmakers have also raised concerns about the potential for corruption, as some may be tempted to engage in shady dealings to make ends meet.

“It’s a ticking time bomb,” said Dr. Festus Adedayo, a political scientist at the University of Ibadan. “When you have former lawmakers struggling to survive, it creates a fertile ground for corruption and other forms of malfeasance. We need to take urgent action to address this issue and ensure that our lawmakers are well taken care of, even after they leave office.”

As the debate rages on, many Nigerians are calling for a more transparent and accountable system of governance, where lawmakers are held to higher standards of accountability and transparency.

“It’s time for us to start asking questions about how our lawmakers are spending their money,” said Olusegun Bamgbose, a civil society activist. “We need to know how they’re managing their finances, and what they’re doing to prepare for life after office. It’s the only way we can ensure that they’re not using their positions for personal gain, and that they’re truly serving the interests of the people.”