Read Interesting Article written by Remi Adekoya.
In a country where 62% of the population lives in extreme
poverty, a Nigerian senator takes home roughly £1.1m every year in salary plus
benefits. MPs must make do with £900,000. In comparison, David Cameron earns
£142,500 as UK prime minister.
Nigeria’s lawmakers fly first class, lodge in the priciest
rooms at the fanciest hotels and live in Beverly Hills-style mansions, all at
the public’s expense. And they get away with this in a country where millions go
to bed hungry. But Muhammadu Buhari, who has been officially sworn in as
Nigeria’s head of state today after winning presidential elections in March, has
vowed to lead a different, more modest kind of lifestyle and to cut down on what
he terms “wastages”.
Buhari’s past behaviour lends credibility to his promises.
Even though he was the military head of state from 1983-85 and has held several
other top political positions, he is known for his ascetic lifestyle and
incorruptibility. His personal home is a modest bungalow. After meeting Cameron
at 10 Downing Street last week, Buhari reportedly flew home economy class, an
event which made headlines in Nigeria due to its sheer novelty. He has also
announced that his presidential convoy will obey traffic rules like everyone
else, another first. If he continues in this fashion, Nigeria’s new president
could play a huge role in changing public perceptions of how a political leader
is expected to behave and how “power” should be wielded.
