Former Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who represented Kebbi South in the National Assembly, has stated that contrary to widespread belief, many Nigerian lawmakers leave office in worse financial conditions than when they entered.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV’s 30 Minutes programme, Na’Allah, who was Deputy Majority Leader in the 8th Senate, said several lawmakers are misled into thinking that the National Assembly is a gateway to wealth, only to find out that the reality is quite different.
“Some of them ventured into the National Assembly believing that it is a place to make money, only to discover that they are going to end up poorer,” Na’Allah said.
The former senator emphasized that the assumption that public office brings instant financial comfort is often false. He challenged Nigerians and the media to investigate the lives of former lawmakers to see how many of them are actually better off after leaving office.
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“Mannir, I’m giving you this assignment,” he told the programme’s host. “Go back to your constituency or anywhere you know people occupying public office, especially the House of Representatives and the Senate. Tell me one senator or one member of the House of Representatives who had nothing before joining politics and who, after leaving politics after one year, can even afford the children’s school fees.”
This statement has sparked discussions around financial struggles after public office, particularly among former lawmakers. Na’Allah’s remarks shed light on the less-discussed side of political life — the hidden costs and expectations placed on lawmakers, including demands from constituents and political allies.
Na’Allah himself lost his Senate re-election bid in the 2023 general election, when he was defeated by Garba Maidoki, who secured 75,232 votes against Na’Allah’s 70,785.
As debates around financial hardship in Nigerian politics grow, many are beginning to question the sustainability of the political culture and whether reforms are needed to make political life more transparent and less financially burdensome.
This revelation contributes to ongoing conversations about the economic realities of public service in Nigeria, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of what political office actually entails behind the scenes.
