The Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the proposed upward review of salaries for political office holders, describing the move as unjust and insensitive.
In a statement on Sunday, August 24, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the decision by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission would deepen inequality between politicians and civil servants, while worsening poverty among citizens.
“We have listened with a growing apprehension to the justification for this ill-advised adventure by the Chairman of RMAFC, Mr Mohammed Usman, but we find it appropriate to warn that making public office a sanctuary for wealth-making instead of service and sacrifice will raise the stakes and desperation for the quest for public office with its intended and unintended consequences including self-extinction,” Ajaero said.
He described Usman’s defence of the proposal as “largely puerile” and insulting to Nigerians, pointing out that political leaders already enjoy numerous allowances and unwritten privileges while workers endure stagnant wages.
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The NLC argued that the last wage review for civil servants was less than 50 percent, compared to an over 800 percent increase for political office holders a year later.
It also faulted the disparity in pay structures, noting that councillors earn the same across states regardless of local economic realities, while civil servants face uneven pay.
“This exercise is coming at a time of promotion and salary freeze in most public subsectors and the continued imposition of N70,000 minimum wage,” Ajaero stressed.
The labour body demanded that RMAFC suspend the process, make public the current earnings of politicians, and establish a fair benchmark that ensures equity.
RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu had earlier defended the review, stating that President Bola Tinubu earns N1.5m monthly while ministers receive less than N1m, figures unchanged since 2008.