The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) of the Nigerian Bar Association has joined other stakeholders to demand that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) shelve its plans to review the salaries of political office-holders in Nigeria.
RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, had on Monday, reportedly hinted at the plan and described the current earnings of the President and other political office occupants as inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated in the face of rising responsibilities and economic challenges.
Below is the full text of the press release signed by NBA-SPIDEL’s Chairman, Professor Paul Ananaba, SAN and Litigation Committee Chair, Olukunle Edun, SAN.
NBA-SPIDEL Cautions Against Salary Increase for Political Office Holders
The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) of the Nigerian Bar Association has observed with concern the recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review upwards the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria.
While SPIDEL acknowledges the constitutional responsibility of RMAFC to periodically review the remuneration of public office holders, we 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).
We therefore urge RMAFC and the Federal Government to suspend consideration of any such review until economic conditions improve, and 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.
SPIDEL reaffirms that political leadership must reflect service and sacrifice, not privilege, insulated from the realities faced by the governed.
That’s very true — raising salaries for politicians while citizens struggle with inflation and poor wages sends the wrong message about leadership and priorities.