Reps spokesman: Many lawmakers are suffering due to pressure from constituents

Benjamin Kalu, spokesman of the house of representatives, says many lawmakers are suffering as a result of requests from their constituents. 

The federal lawmakers had resumed plenary on Tuesday after a six-week recess, but adjourned sitting  to honour Ossy Prestige, a member of the house of representatives, who died on Monday.

While addressing journalists after the adjournment of plenary, the reps spokesman was asked if the members of the house of representatives were compromised by requests from constituents.

“As per being compromised, you know it is very painful — that word keeps coming out. You know that if this parliament has been compromised, you see it in them,” he said.

“This is one of the poorest parliaments. You don’t see them living in luxury. Compromised with what? With position or with money or what?

“These guys are suffering; these guys are under stress. That is why most of the sicknesses they pass through are heart attacks — it is this failure or that failure due to stress from their constituents. That is the truth. The truth must be told.

“Whether you want to understand it or not, let the press know this — that the pressure from constituents is killing members of the national assembly.  That is the truth. The pressure is too much.

“The pressure that is coming from constituents is way out of scope. Those who are not supposed to build roads are asked to build roads. Those who are not supposed to build hospitals are asked to build hospitals.

“So, most members of the national assembly are under great pressure and the resources for them to get this job; this expectation from the public to be met is not there. People don’t want to hear this, but I must tell you the truth; that the members of the parliament are under pressure.

“I don’t care how you go and report it. That is the truth. You can report however you want to report. I’m telling you that members of the national assembly —  they don’t have the kind of money you say they have. They don’t have the kind of resources you think they have. And the pain that is being given to them is affecting most of them.”

Kalu, however, added that despite the pressure, members of the national assembly will continue to carry out their duties.

In October 2020, Simon Karu, a member of the house of representatives, had revealed that each lawmaker gets around N9.3 million monthly.