Controversy Deepens As RMAFC Defends Politicians Lavish Pay Packages....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The recent statement by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) regarding the salaries of National Assembly members and political office holders has sparked outrage. RMAFC Chairman, Muhammed Shehu, stated that these public officeholders do not receive exorbitant salaries, refuting the notion that their incomes are excessive. He explained that what might appear as substantial earnings are, in fact, operational costs associated with running their offices, which should ideally be managed centrally by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).

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Furthermore, Shehu mentioned that a planned 114 percent salary increase for politicians and public officeholders had been postponed due to economic challenges. He emphasized that there had been no salary review since 2007 and that political officeholders’ compensation was not as extravagant as some Nigerians believed.

However, despite Shehu’s clarification, there has been widespread condemnation of the proposed salary increments. Various organizations and individuals have voiced their concerns:

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) finds the pay raise for public office holders unacceptable and unjustifiable, especially in a country grappling with high governance costs. They emphasize that these officials seem more interested in self-aggrandizement than serving the people.

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) believes that while it is important to provide competitive salaries for political office holders to discourage corruption, fairness and equity should guide salary allocation. They argue that the substantial wage gap in the public sector is demotivating and could lead to other societal issues.

Activist Annkio-Briggs is horrified by the prospect of increased salaries for political office holders, given Nigeria’s economic challenges, including a weak currency and soaring foreign debt. She points out that some of these officials represent the Niger-Delta, a significant source of the country’s revenue, yet their actions do not reflect the people’s suffering.

The Labour Party (LP) expresses disappointment that the government, which advises Nigerians to adopt austerity measures and be patient, is simultaneously pushing for higher benefits for political officeholders. They argue that the focus should be on improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians and reducing government waste.

Former lawmaker Abdul Oroh supports the idea of a living wage for all, regardless of their position in public service. He argues that low wages contribute to corruption and suggests a comprehensive review of salaries for various categories of public servants to curb corruption and provide incentives for hard work.

In summary, the RMAFC’s statement defending the proposed salary increments for National Assembly members and political office holders has generated widespread criticism, with many expressing concerns about fairness, government priorities, and the economic well-being of ordinary Nigerians.