Nigerian MPs' pay rise rejected

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Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua has rejected a massive pay rise that MPS voted for themselves in the budget.

The National Assembly wanted to increased its own expenditure, which includes salaries, by 78%, Reuters news agency reports.

In a letter to the Senate, Mr Yar'Adua said he would approve a smaller 20% increase in order to stop committee members seeking bribes from ministries.

He also rejected spending increases for under-performing government bodies.

Mr Yar'Adua, who came to power in a controversial election in April 2007, has promised zero tolerance of corruption.

I still believe that an increase of 78% is far too high President Yar'Adua <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7265247.stm">Yar'Adua: On with the job</a>

The president's letter was read out to the legislators.

"While appreciating the reasons for some increase, especially due to the effort to ensure that no National Assembly committee seeks the financial assistance of any (ministry) before embarking on any oversight function, I still believe that an increase of 78% is far too high," he said.

The letter was written before Tuesday's tribunal verdict that upheld Mr Yar'Adua's election last year.

The panel of five judges unanimously dismissed cases brought by two losing presidential candidates, saying they did not contain enough evidence for the election results to be annulled.

International observers said the April polls fell short of expected standards.

Lawyers acting for President Yar'Adua said the tribunal's ruling should put the flawed election out of the way and allow him to get on with his job.