Labour Warns RMAFC Over Move to Increase Tinubu, Political Office Holders’ Pay

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, has been cautioned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that its proposed remuneration for political office holders could escalate inequality and incite public unrest. This warning follows weeks after RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, expressed his concerns.

The warning comes weeks after RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, lamented that President Bola Tinubu earns only ₦1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than ₦1 million, figures that have remained unchanged since 2008.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero described the proposed review as “insensitive, unjust, inequitable, and a direct threat to social stability.”

“We are outraged by the decision of RMAFC to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political office holders. This move is insensitive and will only succeed in widening the inequality between civil servants and political office holders,” Ajaero said.

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The labour leader dismissed RMAFC’s justification as inadequate, arguing that public office should not be turned into a wealth-making venture.

He warned, “Such action will deepen poverty among Nigerians, most of whom have already been classified as multi-dimensionally poor. It will also heighten desperation for political positions with dangerous consequences for governance and stability.”

The NLC lamented that the review was being considered at a time when workers continue to grapple with stagnant wages and skyrocketing living costs.

It noted that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage remains grossly inadequate, adding that the last wage adjustment for civil servants was less than 50 percent. At the same time, political office holders reportedly enjoyed increments exceeding 800 percent.

According to the union, civil servants’ pay has always been tied to resource availability, whereas politicians have consistently benefited from uniform pay structures nationwide, irrespective of states’ fiscal conditions.

The NLC demanded that the current earnings of all political office holders be made public, along with the criteria for any proposed review.

It also called on the RMAFC to suspend the exercise immediately, warning that proceeding with the review could lead to “a potential tsunami.”