The House of Representatives has resolved to support the Federal Government with N648 million over the next six months by cutting their salaries by 50%. This measure aims to address food sufficiency and tackle the high cost of food across the country.
Additionally, lawmakers have urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as it works to address various challenges and hardships.
The House also mandated its Committee on Appropriation, Humanitarian Affairs, Finance, and Budget to ensure compliance with this resolution. This decision followed the adoption of a motion titled “An Appeal to the Proponents of Proposed Nationwide Protest to Maintain Peace, Eschew Violence, and Open the Windows for Meaningful Engagements with the Government at All Levels to Address Their Issues,” moved by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ogun State) during a plenary session in Abuja.
Hon. Isiaka acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest but emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and engaging in constructive dialogue with the government. He appealed to those planning protests to consider a path of patience, dialogue, and collaboration to resolve the nation’s issues.
“This honourable House appeals to the proponents of the proposed nationwide protest in Nigeria to consider a different path, a path of patience, dialogue, and collaboration, prioritize peace and open channels for meaningful engagements with the government at all levels,” said Isiaka.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu supported the motion and proposed the 50% salary cut for lawmakers to support the federal government’s efforts. He stated, “Protest is not a solution to solving the problem of hunger in the country. Solution not found in raising placards, Rome is not built in a day. Let us give support to all policies of the government to better the lives of citizens.”
Other lawmakers, including Ahmed Jaha (APC-Borno) and Hon. Usman Basiru (Sokoto-APC), echoed similar sentiments. They stressed the need for patience and collaboration with the government to overcome current challenges and emphasized that protests could undermine the peace and unity of the country.