The Traffic

NBA-SPIDEL Urges FG, RMAFC to Suspend Salary Review for Political Office Holders

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Federal Government to suspend any planned upward review of salaries for political office holders, citing prevailing economic hardship across the country.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), and Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL Litigation Committee, Kunle Edun (SAN), the group acknowledged the RMAFC’s constitutional mandate to periodically review public officers’ remuneration. However, it stressed that such powers must be exercised with sensitivity to Nigeria’s current socio-economic realities and in line with the principles of equity and social justice.

“At a time when the majority of Nigerians are contending with high inflation, rising energy costs, and the inadequacy of the newly approved minimum wage, any upward review of salaries for political office holders would be inequitable and inconsistent with the constitutional directive that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government (Section 14(2)(b), 1999 Constitution),” the statement read.

Focus on Citizens’ Welfare

NBA-SPIDEL urged the Federal Government and RMAFC to redirect attention towards policies that directly benefit ordinary Nigerians. These include the effective implementation of the new minimum wage, prompt payment of workers’ salaries, and expansion of social welfare programmes to cushion the impact of economic hardship.

“The section reaffirms that political leadership must reflect service and sacrifice, not privilege insulated from the realities faced by the governed,” it declared.

Context

The call comes amid growing public concern about government expenditure and the rising cost of governance at a time when inflation, unemployment, and poverty rates remain high. Many civil society organisations and labour unions have argued that any increase in the salaries of political office holders would further widen inequality and fuel public discontent.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna