Shehu Sani, a social activist and former senator, has urged the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to prioritize raising the minimum wages of low-wage workers over elected officials’ salaries.
Sani explained that the new proposal would only benefit the elites in a tweet he posted on Wednesday.
He said:
“Raising the minimum wage of poor workers should come first before that of the elites holding public offices.
“With this 114% increase, a Federal Legislator will earn about N2million monthly salary and N25million monthly running cost for his office. Money derived from the removal of subsidy should be spent wisely.”
After considering the state of the Nigerian economy, it was understood that the RMAFC on Wednesday approved a 14% pay raise for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors, Members of Congress, and those holding judicial and public office.
The RMAFC stated in support of its directive that “having considered the impact of the review on the economy, the remuneration of the political, public and judicial office holders in the country was adjusted upward by 114%.”
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The President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators, and the holders of the offices mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution are among the political officeholders whose compensation is to be determined by RMAFC.
The commission urged the 36 state Houses of Assembly to move quickly to amend pertinent laws to allow for an upward review of compensation for public, judicial, and political officials.
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The decision was made at the presentation of reports regarding the reviewed compensation package to Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
The RMAFC Chairman, Muhammadu Shehu, made the announcement in the representation of a federal commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba.
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