The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the proposed salary increase for political office holders, describing the move as unfair and insensitive at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with economic hardship.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the plan by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review the salaries of the President, Vice President, governors and other top officials should be suspended immediately.
According to Abdullahi, the proposal shows a disregard for ordinary Nigerians who are battling rising food prices, soaring fuel costs, and an inadequate minimum wage. He stressed that political leaders already enjoy “bogus allowances and discretionary funds” that place their earnings far above what most citizens make, with many surviving on a minimum wage of N70,000 monthly.
“The attempt to justify this increase is unacceptable,” Abdullahi said. “Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary Nigerians while political elites insulate themselves from economic realities.”
The ADC urged the government to channel its focus towards improving the welfare of citizens by raising the minimum wage to a living standard, ensuring prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries, and strengthening social welfare programmes for vulnerable households.
The party maintained that policies at this critical time must prioritise alleviating hardship rather than enriching office holders who already live in affluence.
