The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has kicked against the move by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review and increase the salaries of political officeholders.

In a statement by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC described the proposal as unfair and insensitive, especially at a time when millions of Nigerians are battling economic hardship. Ajaero argued that the pay gap between politicians and ordinary workers is already too wide, and any further increase would only worsen inequality.

He pointed out that while politicians have enjoyed massive pay raises over the years, civil servants have been left behind with very little adjustments. According to him, the ₦70,000 minimum wage is still a struggle for many workers, yet those in government circles continue to enjoy not just fat salaries but also huge allowances and hidden perks.

The labour leader insisted that RMAFC must explain the criteria it used to justify such a proposal and make public the full details of what political officeholders currently earn. He warned that pushing through with the plan could spark serious unrest, describing it as a ticking time bomb that could lead to a “tsunami” of resistance.

The criticism has not only come from the NLC. Rights group SERAP has also asked President Bola Tinubu to reject the proposal, calling it unconstitutional and morally wrong. The group noted that raising political pay while public services are crumbling and citizens are sinking deeper into poverty shows a lack of accountability and fairness in governance.