The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed opposition to the proposed salary increases for political office holders.
It described the move as an affront to most Nigerians who struggle daily to survive.
A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, reads: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the plan by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, governors, and other top officials.
“We are aware of the commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country. However, proposing such a review at a time millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, and inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people.
“While the Chairman of RMAFC is attempting to justify the proposed increases by describing the current pay structure of political office holders as ‘inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated,’ the ADC wishes to draw the public’s attention to the fact that these salaries are already supplemented with sundry bogus and opaque allowances, perks, and other discretionary funds, which together far exceed what ordinary Nigerians earn.
“How else are the political office holders able to support their lifestyle of luxury and opulence if indeed these ‘outdated’ salaries mean anything to them.
“For perspective, our national minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month — a figure that has been largely eroded by …inflation, even where it has been paid. Yet, unlike public office holders, most Nigerians do not receive additional allowances or emoluments to cushion the effects of the rising costs of living.”
“This is why this proposed plan to increase the salaries of public office holders is not only tone-deaf, it is an all-out affront to the Nigerian people. It signals that the government is disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“In light of these developments, the ADC demands that this absurd plan be suspended immediately. No such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship. Government should focus on improving the lives of the people rather than improving the salaries of the President and other political office holders who already live in obscene indulgence…”
