Senator Ndume Calls for Part-Time National Assembly, Payment by Session

Senator Ali Ndume has put forward a proposal for the Nigerian National Assembly to transition to a part-time operational model. He contends that members of parliament should only receive compensation for the specific days they participate in plenary sittings or committee deliberations. These assertions were made by Senator Ndume during an interview with Trust TV, aired on Friday, June 26. He expressed the view that the existing framework of the legislative body does not warrant full-time salaries, given that lawmakers are not required to be present for work on a daily basis.

Emphasizing his stance, Ndume stated, “To me, I said it, what are we doing? We have been on recess for several times. Let us be paid by sitting. If you sit, you get paid. If you are not sitting, you are not paid.” The senator further asserted that both the Senate and the House of Representatives could operate efficiently as part-time bodies without compromising their legislative duties.

He reiterated, “And to me, we can even make the National Assembly to work part time. On Wednesday, we all assembled for an emergency meeting for this year; important national issues, that is the state policing even though I have reservations as to the speed and the way they are doing it.” Senator Ndume also raised concerns regarding the swiftness with which the Senate reviewed and approved the State Police Bill. He argued that legislative matters of such significant national impact should undergo more extensive public engagement and thorough discussion.

According to Ndume, “Senate is a committee of elders. You just don’t come one day, sit down because the President wants state police, you just pass it overnight.” He added, “You are supposed to sit down, deliberate on it and get the input. We have passed the bill. Has the state police taken off today?”

These remarks by the senator were made shortly after the Senate gave its nod to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026. This proposed legislation aims to introduce state police forces to complement the current federal policing system. Despite his support for initiatives to tackle Nigeria's security issues, Senator Ndume stressed his conviction that the legislative process ought not to be hurried.