Say plan insensitive, Nigerians need pay rise, not politicians amid hardship
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has objected to the proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase salaries of political office holders, describing the move as an all-out affront to the people and an indication that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government is totally disconnected from ordinary Nigerians struggling to survive the current hardship.

The proposed review by the RMAFC would see the President, Vice President, governors, and other top officials receive a substantial pay increase.

The leadership of the National Assembly has equally mulled an upward salary review for the over 4,000 legislative aides.

Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who disclosed this at a three-day capacity building training workshop in Abuja, said it was time to fix the systemic issues that leave aides vulnerable.

“Your tenure depends on your principals, your ranking is not tied to competence, and there are no clear guidelines defining your duties. This has created gaps that expose you to arbitrary treatment. We believe the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should design a distinct salary structure that recognises your unique role,” Ogunlana told participants at the workshop.

He also called for stricter appointment standards to attract professionals with the right skills and experience.

Chairman of NASC, Saviour Enyiekere, urged aides to be more knowledgeable and resourceful than their principals, stressing that robust legislative outputs depend on their competence.

However, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that while the RMAFC has the constitutional mandate to review salaries of political office holders, the timing of the upward review underlines the insensitivity of the current administration and betrays the realities if the day.

Also, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has kicked against the proposal, describing it as insensitive and ill-timed.

In a statement yesterday, the party’s South-West Leader, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, condemned the proposed plan.

Ajadi said millions of Nigerians are already struggling to survive amid soaring inflation and unemployment, stressing that political leaders should be making sacrifices and not demanding a pay rise.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the proposal, describing it as “insensitive” amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, who spoke yesterday in Abuja, said that such a move shows a disconnect between the political elite and the daily struggles of citizens.

He said that rather than increasing their salaries, the government should focus on cutting costs and addressing the economic hardship confronting citizens.