The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced opposition to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) plan to increase the remuneration of political office holders across the country.
In a press statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the union described the proposed pay rise as “insensitive, unjust, and inequitable,” warning that it will worsen inequality and poverty among Nigerians.
The NLC’s position comes after RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Usman, provided a justification for the review, which the labour union dismissed as “puerile” and insulting to the public’s intelligence.
The NLC argued that Usman’s explanation fails to account for the numerous perks and advantages already enjoyed by political office holders, which are not captured in their basic salaries.
The union highlighted the timing of the proposed pay increase, noting that it’s occurring when many public sectors are facing a salary and promotion freeze.
The NLC also pointed out the current N70,000 minimum wage, which many states are still unable to implement due to a lack of resources, despite recent tariff hikes.
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The union also drew a comparison to past wage reviews, claiming that while civil servants’ pay was increased by no more than 50%, political office holders’ salaries were raised by over 800% in a previous review.
The NLC also criticised the uniform pay structure for political office holders, which means a councillor in one state earns the same as a councillor in another, regardless of the differing pay structures for civil servants in those states.
This, NLC said, is discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of the constitution.
In response, the NLC issued three key demands: that the salaries and benefits of all political office holders be made public; that the benchmark for the proposed pay review be disclosed; and that the RMAFC immediately suspend the exercise to avoid what it warned could “trigger a tsunami.”
