The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a swipe at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its planned review of emoluments of political office holders.
The NLC, while expressing its opposition to the review, warned that it can only worsen the inequality in the country and could potentially cause unrest.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero described the proposal as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”
Ajero argued that such a review would deepen poverty among Nigerians, most of whom have been classified as multi-dimensionally poor.
He said, “We are outraged by the decision of RMAFC to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political office holders. This move is insensitive and will only succeed in widening the inequality between civil servants and political office holders.”
Ajero poured cold water on the reasons adduced by the Chairman of RMAFC, Mohammed Usman, dismissing them as inadequate.
The labour leader argued 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 further noted that the proposal comes at a time when civil servants face salary stagnation, with the N70,000 minimum wage still in operation despite rising costs of living.
While he pointed out that the last wage review for civil servants was less than 50 percent, Ajero noted that the political office holders allegedly enjoyed increments exceeding 800 percent.
The NLC frowned at the different criteria used in addressing the issue of wage adjustments for civil servants and those of political office holders, pointing out, ‘while civil servants’ wage adjustments are tied to resource availability, political office holders have consistently received uniform pay structures nationwide, regardless of states’ fiscal capacities.’
The NLC demanded that the current earnings of all political office holders be made public, along with the benchmarks for any proposed review, while imploring RMAFC to immediately suspend the exercise to avoid what it described as “a potential tsunami.”
It should be recalled that sometime in June 2023, the RMAFC revealed that it has approved a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the president, vice president, governors, and lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders.
The commission urged the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts on amendment of relevant laws to give room for upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers.
RMAFC Chairman Muhammadu Shehu, represented by a federal commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, made the call at the presentation of reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages was effective from January 1, 2023, adding that the move was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution of the federal government (as amended).
The chairman said the last remuneration review was conducted in 2007, noting that it culminated in the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008”.
RMAFC is saddled with the responsibility of determining the remuneration appropriate for political officeholders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices as mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution.
