Halt Proposed Pay Rise Before It Triggers Crisis, Labour Warns RMAFC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposed upward review of remuneration for political office holders, cautioning that the move could plunge the nation into a deeper social and economic crisis.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, condemned the plan as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”
He argued that the proposal, if implemented, would widen the already troubling gap between Nigeria’s political class and the masses, the majority of whom struggle daily under the weight of poverty and economic hardship.
Ajaero stressed that instead of prioritising the welfare of politicians, the government should channel resources into improving the lives of ordinary citizens, noting that over 133 million Nigerians are classified as multi-dimensionally poor.
“At a time when workers and ordinary citizens are grappling with the high cost of living, spiralling inflation, and deteriorating public services, it is insensitive and provocative to contemplate raising the salaries and allowances of political office holders,” he said.
The NLC president warned that proceeding with the pay review could spark mass protests and further erode public trust in governance.
He maintained that Nigeria’s fragile social fabric could snap under the weight of growing inequality and discontent if the RMAFC failed to shelve the plan.
Labour, according to Ajaero, would resist any policy that prioritises the comfort of the ruling elite over the survival of the people.
He urged the federal government to instead focus on addressing pressing national challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.
The development comes amid mounting concerns over the cost of governance in Nigeria, with citizens and civil society groups consistently calling for a drastic cut in political office holders’ salaries and allowances as a demonstration of shared sacrifice.
