Insanity: Civil Society, Labour Told to Fight Proposed Politician Pay Raise as Nigerians Struggle

Civil society organizations across Nigeria have united in strong condemnation of a proposed new remuneration package for political office holders, labeling it as insensitive and untimely. The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has proposed a significant increase in the salaries and allowances of elected officials, including the president, vice president, governors, and legislators.

The groups, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International Nigeria, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), held a press conference in Abuja to voice their outrage. They argue that this move is a profound misplacement of priorities at a time when the federal government is struggling to meet the demands of labour unions for a new minimum wage for ordinary workers and is implementing austerity measures that have removed fuel subsidies and led to a sharp increase in the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

The executive director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stated that it is "completely unjustifiable" to consider raising the already substantial earnings of politicians while the citizenry grapples with severe economic hardship. He pointed out that many political office holders receive allowances that far exceed the annual salary of the average civil servant.

The coalition has issued a direct appeal to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to vehemently resist the proposal. They are urging the labour unions to organize nationwide protests if the RMAFC and the federal government proceed with the plan. The groups have called for a complete overhaul of the remuneration system to reflect the country's economic reality and to ensure equity. They also demand greater transparency in how the salaries and allowances of public officers are determined, advocating for a process that includes public hearing and input. The controversy highlights the growing tension over public sector spending and economic inequality in the country.

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