NLC Rejects Proposed Salary Hike for Political Officeholders, Calls It "Insensitive
NLC Rejects Proposed Salary Hike for Political Officeholders, Calls It "Insensitive"
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the proposed salary increment for political officeholders by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), describing it as "insensitive, unjust, and inequitable."
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that the move would worsen inequality between civil servants and political leaders, while pushing more Nigerians deeper into poverty.
“This is coming at a time of salary freezes in most public subsectors and the continued imposition of a ₦70,000 minimum wage,” Ajaero said. He noted that while past wage reviews gave civil servants less than 50% increases, politicians received over 800%.
The labour leader also faulted the RMAFC’s justification for the increment, stressing that officeholders already enjoy substantial perks and hidden allowances. He demanded full disclosure of the current earnings of political leaders as well as the benchmarks for the proposed review.
Ajaero further criticised the uniform pay structure for politicians nationwide, pointing out that a councillor in Yobe earns the same as one in Rivers, unlike civil servants whose wages vary by state.
He warned that proceeding with the review could trigger a “tsunami” of discontent and urged the RMAFC to halt the exercise immediately.
By Haruna Yakubu Haruna
