- Describes proposal as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is clearly courting national crisis by proposing an upward review of remunerations for political office holders in the country.
According to the NLC, the move could worsen inequality and spark nationwide outrage if not put on hold or abandoned completely.
Strongly opposing the Commission’s proposal, the Labour Movement, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, described it as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”
The statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said such a review would further deepen poverty among Nigerians, most of whom have been classified as wallowing in multi-dimensionally poverty.
Ajaero 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.”
Ajaero, who faulted the justification offered by RMAFC Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Usman, dismissed it as inadequate, warning 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.
Furthermore, the Labour leader said it is most unfortunate to have such proposal coming at a time when Civil Servants face salary stagnation, with the N70,000 minimum wage currently in operation despite rising costs of living.
Noting that the last wage review for civil servants was less than 50 percent, while political office holders reportedly enjoyed increments exceeding 800 percent, Comrade Ajaero said 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.
While demanding that the current earnings of all political office holders be made public, along with the benchmarks for any proposed review, the NLC urged RMAFC to immediately suspend the exercise to avoid what it described as “a potential tsunami” in the country.
