Nigerians may revolt over pay rise for political office holders, LP warns

• LP warned that RMAFC’s proposed pay rise could trigger mass anger among Nigerians battling severe economic hardship nationwide.
• The party insisted tbag Shehu misled citizens by claiming president earns N18m annually, citing CBN data on leaders’ existing affluence.

The Labour Party (LP) has faulted the move by the revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission (RMAFC) to review upward the salaries of political office holders.

The party described the plan as “unconscionable” and “insensitive,” especially when many citizens cannot afford a daily meal.

Mohammed Shehu, chairman of the commission, recently defended the proposed pay rise, insisting that political leaders deserve better remuneration.

But Tony Akeni, interim national publicity secretary of the labour party, accused Shehu of “insulting Nigerians’ intelligence” by suggesting that the president earns only N18 million annually while ministers collect N12 million.

“This is a lie, as a report from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the president already lives in affluence aside from his monthly salary,” Akeni said on Friday.

According to him, the LP considers the proposed increment “unconscionable” and “insensitive,” particularly when millions of Nigerians are struggling under the hardship caused by the APC-led federal government.

The party warned that the decision could provoke nationwide anger if implemented.

“Our advice to the chairman of the RMAFC and his unseen collaborators is to retrace their steps before provoking the anger of suffering Nigerians,” he said.

The LP added that the commission appeared to be enabling the Tinubu administration’s “borrowing spree and reckless accumulation of debt” that could mortgage the nation’s future.

It said a more responsible move would have been to increase the minimum wage beyond the current N70,000, echoing the call of the United States government for an improved wage structure in Nigeria.

“If a foreign country could show empathy toward our citizens, then the RMAFC has no excuse not to do the same,” Akeni said.

He insisted that the campaign against corruption is not only Peter Obi’s responsibility but a collective struggle for all Nigerians.

“The APC is burning down our country with unprecedented corruption in virtually every sector of the economy,” the party stated.

The LP urged citizens to rally together in 2027 to oust what it called “the wolf packs ravaging our values and destiny.”