Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has criticised the planned salary increase for Nigerian political office holders, labelling the proposal as “insensitive” given the country’s dire economic state.
He believes the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has failed to consider the severe hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
During a discussion on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Falana pointed to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, which indicates that over 133 million Nigerians are “multidimensionally poor.”
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He argued that it’s inappropriate for any government body, especially the RMAFC, to suggest raising the pay of public officials when so many citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities like food, education, and healthcare.
Falana urged the nation’s leaders to forgo any salary increments and instead share in the economic difficulties experienced by the public.
He expressed confidence that the RMAFC would reconsider its position to avoid further antagonising Nigerians.
According to him, this is not the right time for officials to justify increasing their already substantial salaries and allowances.
He instead called on leaders to support social safety programs that directly help vulnerable citizens.
The RMAFC recently announced its intention to review the salaries of political office holders, claiming their current earnings are insufficient and outdated.
This move has also been met with opposition from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has called for the plan to be halted, describing it as both “insensitive” and “unjust.”
Falana maintained that any review of politicians’ pay must be comprehensive, considering various “unaccounted funds” like self-awarded allowances, estacodes, and security votes.
He highlighted that while estacodes were once restricted to governors, numerous agencies now receive millions in monthly allowances.
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The senior lawyer stressed that the RMAFC must align its review with court rulings that have declared certain allowances illegal and must also work with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to ensure equity between public officials and civil servants.
He warned against the use of unaccounted-for funds, which he stated have no place in a democratic system.
