(L-R): Asalu, Tinubu
By Tunde Balogun
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Ayodele Asalu, has said that each member of the House of Representatives receives nothing less than 1 billion naira for constituency projects currently.
Asalu, who is a former Reps aspirant for Ede/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the state made the revelation at a recent meeting with his supporters and members of the APC.
He said that the sharp rise, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, became effective following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The APC chieftain noted that the figure significantly contrasted with previous allocations that were as low as N200 million each.
Asalu, whose disclosure is now trending in a viral video, said that Senators, on the other hand, now get nothing less than N2 billion each for their constituency projects.
“Before 2024, it wasn’t like this. But after subsidy removal, federal allocations to states increased—and so did lawmakers’ project funds.
“If you see a lawmaker executing projects, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s from their personal pocket”, he said.
The ex-Reps aspirant lauded Tinubu’s administration for the upward review in the constituency project allowances.
Asalu explained that the move was intended to make life easier for citizens by empowering lawmakers to deliver more developmental projects.
“Take Osun State as an example, before now, an Honourable member’s allowance was less than N200 million.
“Today, nobody gets less than N1 billion.
“And no senator operates with less than N2 billion.
“These are facts, not exposés,” he said.
He, however, didn’t specify if the money is released monthly or annually.
It would be recalled that Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko, also disclosed this in March 2024, even as the lawmakers always prefer to keep sealed lips on the issue.
Nwoko had claimed that he received more than N1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget.
“Senators get what they lobby for, not because they have the right to it.
“Everybody just goes about doing what they can do for their constituencies and senatorial districts.
“A better approach would have been for senatorial uniformity.
“So if they say that everyone should get about N1 billion, be it.
“But this way, you rely on your weight and contacts to see what you can get for your people.
“We are not talking about money for the senators. This is for projects within our senatorial districts.
“If you have road, water, or training programmes, all should aggregate to a particular amount,” he said.
Asked if he got as much as N1 billion in allocation, the senator replied, “Of course, I did.
“That’s why I am who I am. But these are projects for my people.”
Periscope International reports that constituency allowances are the funds released by the Federal Government to each lawmaker.
It is meant for addressing socio-economic challenges in their immediate constituencies, and to support rural development efforts.
