Two prominent civil society organisations, the Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) and the Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN), have vehemently rejected the proposed salary increase for political office holders in Nigeria.

According to the groups, the increase would further widen the economic gap between politicians and ordinary Nigerians, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

In a press statement issued to our correspondent on Wednesday, the publicity secretary of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement, Salako Kayode, demands that the government immediately reverse any proposed or implemented salary increases for political officeholders, drastically reduce governance costs, and implement a living wage for all Nigerian workers.

The Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) made a similar rejection in a statement by its secretary, Iortyom Ushahemba.

He said there is no justification for politicians to increase their earnings while workers struggle to survive on a minimum wage.

“What justification exists for politicians to increase their already bloated earnings while workers are forced to survive on a minimum wage that cannot feed a family?” he queried.

Both groups are calling for a more equitable society where the needs of the many come before “the greed of the few”.

They demanded the cancellation of the proposed salary increase, the implementation of a living wage for workers, increased investment in public services such as education and healthcare, and an end to wasteful spending and corruption.

The activist groups urged Nigerians to join forces in resisting the enrichment of the ruling elite and demand a more just society.