Lawmakers in the Enugu State House of Assembly have raised alarm over their worsening financial plight, alleging that Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has withheld their salaries and allowances for two months.
Investigations revealed that the affected arrears cover August and September 2025, with lawmakers confirming that the delay has crippled the smooth running of the Assembly.
This is not the first time the legislators have faced delayed payments. Records show that their salaries for January and February 2025 were not cleared until March, while a similar delay occurred in May and June, with payment only made in July.
A visibly frustrated lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented that the non-payment had left members hungry and demoralised.
“Yes, the Enugu State government hasn’t paid us for the past two months. When President Bola Tinubu visited in January, we were not paid until March. When the First Lady came, we had to wait two months again. Now, after hosting the NBA conference, we are still being owed for August and September,” the lawmaker said.
He accused the governor of deliberately weakening the Assembly, describing the House as “worse than a rubber stamp.”
“We are the poorest-paid lawmakers in Nigeria. What we earned in 2015 is still what we earn today. No constituency projects, no overheads, no housing allowances. Hunger is everywhere — not just in the House but across all ministries,” the legislator added.
The lawmakers also alleged corruption in the award of contracts, accusing Governor Mbah of breaching due process.
“The governor awards contracts without following procedure. Earlier this year, we were told that the state’s account was hacked and N1bn stolen.
“But investigations by the police and the NFIU showed that no account was hacked. It was simply a fraudulent contract award,” the source alleged.
Concerns were also raised about the governor’s handling of loans and government vehicles.
According to the lawmakers, the Assembly had approved a N170 billion loan with specific banks, but the governor unilaterally changed the arrangement without returning to the House.
“Even in the budget, Toyota Prado SUVs were approved for us, but the governor went ahead to buy cheap Chinese products without our approval.
“These vehicles are substandard. If he had at least patronised Innoson Motors, it would have been understandable,” one of them said.
The lawmakers further lamented abandoned road projects, mounting debts, and poor welfare for the Speaker, who they claimed still drives an old car from the previous administration.
“The Speaker is still using the vehicle he got as Deputy Speaker under Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. This tells you the level of disregard for the institution,” the source fumed.
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