THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected the proposed salary increases for political office holders, describing the move as “an affront to the struggling Nigerian people” and evidence of government’s disconnect from reality.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) recently revealed plans to review and raise the emoluments of the President, Vice President, governors, ministers, and other top government officials. The proposed increment has already sparked outrage among citizens and civil society groups.
In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary made available to News Point Nigeria, the party said the proposal was not only ill-timed but also a blatant insult to millions of Nigerians battling economic hardship.
“We are aware of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country. However, proposing such a review at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people,” Abdullahi stated.
The party argued that the salaries of political leaders were already heavily padded with “bogus and opaque allowances, perks, and discretionary funds” that place them far above the earnings of the average citizen.
While the RMAFC Chairman had described the current pay structure as “inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated,” the ADC questioned how politicians have continued to fund their luxurious lifestyles if their salaries were truly insufficient.
For comparison, the ADC noted that Nigeria’s new national minimum wage of N70,000 per month has been eroded by galloping inflation and is still largely unpaid across many states. Unlike politicians, ordinary Nigerians do not enjoy allowances, official vehicles, or housing perks, leaving them at the mercy of the rising cost of living.
“This proposed plan to increase the salaries of public office holders is not only tone-deaf, it is an all-out affront to the Nigerian people. It signals that the government is clearly disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens,” the statement read.
The ADC demanded that the plan be immediately suspended, stressing that government had “no moral right” to cushion the lifestyles of political elites while citizens wallowed in poverty.
The party insisted that the priority should instead be to raise workers’ minimum wage to a living standard, ensure timely salary payments, and strengthen social welfare programs to protect the most vulnerable Nigerians.
“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary citizens while they focus on making lives easier for themselves. Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships while the everyday Nigerian suffers,” Abdullahi said.
