NLC Condemns Planned Pay Rise for Politicians
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposed upward review of remuneration for political office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The Labour body warned that the development could worsen inequality and provoke nationwide outrage unimaginable.
A statement on Sunday in Abuja, by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the plan as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”
“We are outraged by the decision of RMAFC to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political office holders,” Ajaero said. “This move is insensitive and will only succeed in widening the inequality between civil servants and political office holders.”
The labour leader dismissed the justification given by RMAFC Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Usman, as inadequate. He warned that turning public office into a pathway for wealth rather than service would heighten desperation for political positions, with dangerous consequences for governance and stability.
The NLC condemned the timing of the proposal, stressing that millions of Nigerians are already classified as multi-dimensionally poor while civil servants continue to face stagnant wages and rising costs of living.
It noted that while the last wage adjustment for civil servants was less than 50 percent, political office holders reportedly enjoyed increments exceeding 800 percent.
NLC further said civil servants’ salaries are often tied to resource availability, yet politicians enjoy uniform pay structures nationwide, irrespective of each state’s fiscal capacity.
It demanded that the current earnings of all political office holders be published along with the benchmarks for any proposed review. It further urged RMAFC to suspend the planned exercise immediately, warning that the policy could trigger what it described as “a potential tsunami.”
