Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Member representing Okpe / Sapele / Uvwie Federal constituency, has opened up about the personal and political pressures he faces as a legislator, saying he remains committed to honesty and public service despite mounting criticism from friends, relatives and party supporters. He revealed how he spent his 33 year’s gratuity as a retired teacher to buy rice for his constituents during the 2024 festive season, insisting that he would never divert public funds to satisfy selfish demands.
In a candid statement on Facebook, Etanabene revealed that he had long prepared himself for the possibility of losing relationships and enduring betrayal due to his decision to stand by the truth. “At my age and experience in life, I have overcome the fear of betrayals and insults. I have known many years ago the nature of humans, so I’m not surprised by the actions of humans. I know who I am. My acts speak for me,” he said.
He also addressed the perception that legislators enrich themselves through public funds. According to him, the common narrative about lawmakers living lavishly is exaggerated and misleading. “You can be elected into the National Assembly in the morning and come out in the evening stupendously a billionaire. It’s also possible to enter rich and come out poorer. This is not debatable. Ninety percent of the things we say about elected officers, especially in the National Assembly, are very big lies,” he said.
The lawmaker disclosed that contrary to public belief, his monthly salary is ₦606,000 while his allowances total ₦8.5 million, an amount he says is quickly depleted by official expenses, party commitments and numerous demands from constituents. “The salary and allowances in a month cannot sustain 10 percent of your commitments. Everyday you must respond to house rents, hospital bills, burial and marriage demands, church harvests, community requests, empowerment, job requests and even school fees. The space here is not enough for me to list all kinds of demands I have received,” Etanabene said.
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He criticized those who pressure elected officials to fund personal needs through illegal means. “People want me to go and steal for them, yet they don’t want to steal themselves. Am I the only one that knows how to steal? There are banks everywhere in Nigeria, go there yourselves and rob. You don’t need to pressure me. I want to go to heaven like you desire too. Why should I be the one to steal for you?”
Etanabene also clarified the process behind constituency projects, stating that legislators do not receive direct funds but only nominate projects to be executed by federal agencies. In his 2024 budget, he said, he nominated several projects including a computer technology hub at Our Lady’s School, training programmes for youths in computer skills and fish farming, fencing of schools, solar light installations, and sewing training programmes for women. He said most of these projects have been completed despite the government’s delay in releasing funds, adding that he had to borrow and spend personal resources to execute them.
On his legislative record, Etanabene highlighted his motions on the opening of ports in Sapele, Warri, Koko, Nomadic and Burutu; amendment of the constitution to change the name of Sapele to Okpe; establishment of a technical university for Sapele; and efforts to address insecurity and natural disasters.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party, stating he would never defect to another party out of gratitude to the platform that gave him an opportunity to serve. “If not for the LP, I wouldn’t have been elected in the first place. How can I by any imagination neglect them?”
Despite the pressures, Etanabene vowed to continue his work until the end of his tenure. “Sometimes I feel like quitting. But for real, only losers quit. I will continue to do my best for the interest of my federal constituency and Nigeria as a whole until the last elected day,” he concluded.
