The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued an urgent plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to immediately suspend a proposed salary increase for political and public office holders, including the president, vice-president, governors, their deputies, and lawmakers.
In a letter sent to the President, SERAP described the imminent pay rise as “patently unlawful and unconstitutional” and a “gross misuse” of the powers of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The organisation called on President Tinubu to reject the proposed increase and to encourage other political leaders to do the same.
According to SERAP, the RMAFC’s constitutional and statutory mandates do not grant it “unrestrained powers” to arbitrarily increase the salaries of public officials, particularly at a time when over 133 million Nigerians are living in poverty and many state governments are struggling to pay workers’ salaries and pensions.
The human rights group also referenced a previous court judgment by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor, which directed the RMAFC to review downward the salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly to reflect the country’s economic realities.
SERAP urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to ensure full compliance with this judgment.
SERAP’s letter further argued that the RMAFC appears to consistently prioritise the interests of political office holders over those of ordinary Nigerians.
It suggested that the commission should instead focus on cutting excessive allowances for public officials and life pensions for former leaders.
The organisation contended that the proposed salary increase violates Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, and the country’s international human rights obligations.
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The group noted that the planned pay rise is in stark contrast to Tinubu’s inauguration speech, where he committed to ensuring a “better society” and governing Nigeria “impartially according to the constitution and the rule of law.”
SERAP has given the government seven days to respond to its request, after which it said it would “take all appropriate legal actions” to compel compliance in the public interest.
While criticising the proposed pay increase for politicians, SERAP expressed support for an upward review of the remuneration for Nigerian judges.
The organisation stated that it would address the “persistent poor treatment of judges” and improve access to justice for victims of corruption and human rights violations.
The RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello, had reportedly defended the proposed pay rise for the political office holders, claiming that their current salaries are “paltry.” SERAP, however, described this justification as “seriously flawed.”
