In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, warned that the move would deepen poverty, widen inequality, and further alienate public officials from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“We are outraged by the decision of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political office holders across the country. The move is insensitive, unjust, inequitable and will only succeed in deepening the growing inequality between civil servants and political office holders,” Ajaero said.
He criticized RMAFC Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Usman, for justifying the hike, describing his reasoning as “puerile” and dismissive of the already extensive perks enjoyed by political leaders. According to Ajaero, political office holders have benefitted from pay raises exceeding 800% over the years, while civil servants’ salaries have increased by only about 50%.
The NLC further noted that political salaries remain uniform nationwide, regardless of regional economic disparities, unlike civil service pay which varies. It also condemned the review as unjustifiable at a time when Nigerian workers remain under salary freezes and the national minimum wage stands at ₦70,000.
Calling for transparency, Ajaero demanded that the current earnings of political office holders and the benchmarks for the proposed review be made public. “RMAFC should put this exercise on hold before it triggers a tsunami,” he warned.
The labour body urged the federal government to ensure that remuneration policies are fair, transparent, and consistent with constitutional provisions, stressing that public office must remain an avenue for service and sacrifice, not wealth accumulation.
The RMAFC had recently announced the review of political and public office holders’ pay, following a similar review for judicial officers last year, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law as the Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Act, 2024.
However, the NLC insists that the timing of the proposed hike is wrong, warning that it risks sparking unrest if not immediately suspended.
