The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Federal Government to suspend consideration for the upward review of the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria until economic conditions improve.

The section also urged them to focus instead on measures that will alleviate the hardship of ordinary citizens, including effective implementation of the minimum wage, timely payment of salaries, and expansion of social welfare programmes.

The group in a statement signed by its chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN) and chairman, NBA-SPIDEL litigation committee, Kunle Edun (SAN) said it acknowledges the constitutional responsibility of RMAFC to periodically review the remuneration of public office holders, but consider it imperative to emphasise that such powers must be exercised with due regard to prevailing 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 section reaffirms that political leadership must reflect service and sacrifice, not privilege insulated from the realities faced by the governed,” the group declared.