SENATORIAL ASPIRANT ADVOCATES PAY CUT FOR LEGISLATORS

A senatorial aspirant for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Mr. Chris Nkwonta, has advocated a cut in the salary and emoluments of the federal legislators.

Speaking to journalists while declaring his intention to vie for the senatorial seat in the 2011 general elections in Lagos at the weekend, Nkwonta advocated that occupying public office should be made to be less attractive, so that whoever is coming on board, is purely submitting himself for national service.

Again, he said what the federal legislators are demanding for in terms of pay rise alongside other allowances and emoluments remained an indication that the legislators are selfish and self-centered, saying government should not grant such request.

The aspirant also took time out to lambaste the current crop of members of Nigeria's Federal House of Representatives describing them as a group lacking in character who have caused the country a national embarrassment as a result of the crises currently rocking the lower chamber.

Nkwonta said members of the house have failed the entire country because they have failed to provide meaningful representation for the electorate, but, rather, have only succeeded in representing themselves a development, he said, runs contrary to their oath of office.

'You can just imagine the show of shame as witnessed on the television. Federal legislators descending so low in fisticuffs over personal gains. How do you expect us as a country to be respected amongst the comity of nations? If there are issues agitating the minds of the legislators, I believe there are civilized, cultured and responsible manner to resolve whatever differences they may have' he said.Nkwonta

On his political ambition,Nkwonta explained that Abia South senatorial zone is a reflection of a zone in a state of total neglect with the people having nothing to show as dividend of democracy. The neglect, according to him, informed his decision to vie for the senatorial seat which he said would be an avenue for him to provide quality and meaningful representation to the people who he said convinced him in the first place to contest.