NLC Slams Proposed Salary Hike for Politicians as ‘Insensitive and Unjust’
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticised the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposed plan to increase salaries for political officeholders, calling the move “insensitive, unjust, and inequitable.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that the pay hike reportedly aimed at significantly boosting the earnings of the president, vice-president, governors, and other top officials would only deepen the country’s already stark income inequality.
“We have listened with growing apprehension to the justification for this ill-advised adventure by the Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. Mohammed Usman,” Ajaero said. “This proposal is an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerians.”
Ajaero accused the RMAFC of trying to turn public office into a “sanctuary for wealth-making,” warning that such decisions could fuel desperation for power, leading to dangerous political consequences. He argued that political officeholders already enjoy a wide range of unspoken perks and privileges that ordinary citizens particularly civil servants do not.
“This exercise is coming at a time when many public sector workers face salary freezes and are stuck with a N70,000 minimum wage, while tariff hikes and inflation continue to erode purchasing power,” he said.
The NLC president also recalled that in previous wage reviews, civil servants were granted modest increases of less than 50%, while political officeholders reportedly enjoyed hikes of over 800%. “Political salaries are uniform nationwide, but civil servant pay varies by state. Where is the equity in that?” Ajaero asked.
While he acknowledged the importance of fair remuneration, Ajaero stressed that such adjustments must be implemented equitably — across all sectors, without discrimination. “One of the most heinous crimes against humanity is the institution and promotion of apartheid in any human setting, no matter how subtle,” he stated, drawing a sharp analogy to the deepening economic divide.
Ajaero concluded by demanding full transparency from the RMAFC, urging the commission to publish the current salaries of political officeholders and disclose the benchmarks used for the proposed adjustments. “RMAFC should put this exercise on hold before it triggers a tsunami,” he warned, hinting at the growing frustration among workers and the wider public.
