WHEN they return from their ongoing recess, members of the House of Representatives may publicly declare their salaries and emoluments.

The move, according to the Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, will help in making the members diligent crusaders against corruption in the country. Nevertheless, the development may not be unconnected with the recent challenge to members of the House by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), at a forum organised by the legislators.

Mohammed told reporters Tuesday in Ilorin: “When we were celebrating our second year as legislators, we called many people, without gagging them, to tell us our weaknesses. This was the occasion on which Chief Falana made the comment which today has become a challenge, but indeed a very good one.

“But as we come back from the present break, we will get back to Nigerian people on this. However, our salaries are even known to all. Don’t forget that the money will pass through the bank and people, not ghosts, prepare the salaries. But like I said earlier, we will get back to Nigerians on it.”

For noted that his colleagues have jettisoned the proposed six-year single tenure for president and vice, governor and deputy to continue with the present system of four years per term of two.

“The Senate took six years of single tenure, but our own position is four years of double tenure. If we don’t agree, we will have a conference of the National Assembly to resolve it,” he noted. “I can only tell you that as people’s representatives, our decision is based on the wish of our people at our various constituencies.”

Meanwhile, Mohammed debunked the claim that members of the House have abandoned their primary duties and were now witch hunting the President, stating instead that they had and would continue to make robust laws that would boost the status of the less-privileged in the society.

Besides, while justifying his colleagues’ occasional hard stance on issues from the Presidency, Mohammed said that a weak legislature would naturally make the Executive unaccountable to the citizens.

He further admitted that the recent emergence of the opposition All Progressives Congress on the nation’s political scene would put the ruling People’s Democratic Party on its toes, adding: “Without a credible opposition, there can’t be a virile democracy, as the choice of the electorate will be restricted.”