As millions of Nigerians grapple with soaring food prices, skyrocketing prices of drugs, yet stagnant wages, and a cost-of-living crisis that shows no signs of easing, the urgency of the situation is underscored by a proposed 114% salary hike for political office holders that has ignited public outrage.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) is calling out what it describes as a “tone-deaf” move by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). This decision threatens to deepen mistrust in governance and widen the gulf between elected officials and the citizens they claim to serve.
With transparency lacking and hardship mounting, the question looms large: who truly stands to gain from this lavish proposal, and at what cost to the nation’s struggling majority?
At the forefront of the opposition is the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), which has formally urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reconsider the controversial, ill-timed, ill-conceived and highly inconsiderate proposal.
The RMAFC’s plan to significantly raise salaries to (114%) for elected officials – amid Economic Strain – comes at a time when the majority of Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty – struggling to afford necessities.
Public servants—teachers, health workers, and civil service staff—have long complained of stagnant wages and poor working conditions.
The proposed increase, critics argue, sends a troubling signal about the government’s priorities.
The CUPP has, however, called for equity and transparency on this awkward proposal by the RMAFC. In a statement issued in Abuja, CUPP Secretary Chief Peter Ameh condemned the proposal as “tone-deaf” and “unjustifiable.”
He challenged the rationale behind rewarding political elites while being glaringly indifferent to the welfare and plights of the broader population.
Ameh posits that “Political office is a service to the nation, not a means to accumulate wealth,” Ameh said, highlighting the lack of transparency surrounding current earnings, which include generous allowances and perks.
CUPP’s position corroborates the general public sentiment. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage, demanding accountability and a redirection of resources toward improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
The reason behind the public discontentment about this proposal is conspicuously glaring. While RMAFC has not released a detailed breakdown of the proposed salary structure, existing data suggests that political office holders already earn significantly more than their counterparts in the civil service, highlighting the injustice and inequality in the system.
Some Nigerians christened political office holders’ pay as ‘Armed Robber Salary’. Thus, it is widely believed that the proposed hike would widen this gap further, exacerbating inequality and fueling mistrust.
Available data indicate that the current average monthly salary of a senator is ₦1.5 million, excluding allowances. Nevertheless, a 114% increase is still being proposed for politicians; meanwhile, the average monthly salary of a Grade Level 12 civil servant is ₦90,000.
The growing concern of the CUPP is genuinely the lack of transparency in the proposal.
Their core criticisms are the opacity surrounding political office holders’ earnings.
Despite repeated calls for disclosure, many details remain hidden from public view.
This secrecy, according to CUPP, undermines democratic accountability and erodes trust in governance. The public’s unwavering demand for transparency, given that public resources fund these earnings, is a clear indication of the importance of accountability in governance.
As it currently stands, public workers typify the forgotten backbone. CUPP’s statement also called for urgent attention to the plight of public workers. With many struggling to survive on meagre, yet delayed wages, the coalition argues that any salary review should begin with those who keep the country running—not those who legislate from air-conditioned chambers.
Where Do We Go From Here?
As pressure mounts, RMAFC faces a critical decision: proceed with the salary hike and risk public backlash, or heed the calls for reform and equity. CUPP has made its position clear, but the outcome will depend on whether the government chooses to listen.