Civil society organisations (CSOs) have kicked against the announcement of 144% salary increase for politicians, judicial, and public office holders, ValidView Network reports.
Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Shehu, had announced the increase.
The CSOs raised concerns over the country’s economic stability and social inequality, with the proposed salary increase potentially exacerbating existing issues.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, described the increase as “unjustifiable”.
“They are already being overpaid. The country’s resources cannot sustain the salary increases,” Musa said.
He added that the move was unfair to other workers and professionals who contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development, such as teachers, doctors, engineers, and lawyers.
Musa also warned that the salary increase would further widen inequality and disparity among Nigerians, as well as increase political violence.
“Politicians will turn elections into a do-or-die affair,” he stated, highlighting the stance of CISLAC and Transparency International on the issue.
Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr Zikirullahi Ibrahim criticized the current administration’s decision.
“If the current government was acting in good faith, its primary concern would be how to lift over 133 million Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty,” Dr. Ibrahim said.
He also suggested that the salary increase could be seen as a “surreptitious bribe” to judges, considering the administration’s legitimacy is being questioned and contested in court.
Dr. Ibrahim further argued that the 114% salary increase would only serve to make the rich richer, increase inflation, and widen economic inequality.
