The Labor Party rejects salary increases for political office holders, urges to focus on the minimum wage

The Labor Party has criticized the proposed salary increase for political office holders by the mobilization of income, allocation and fiscal commission (RMAFC), describing the step as “unreasonable” in facing the country’s economic challenges.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary of the Temporary National Publicity, Tony Akeni, the party warned the commission against the process with the plan, warning that it was as big as a “bad luck” at one time millions of Nigerians wrestled with the worsening difficulties.

Instead of raising the salaries of public officials, the party urged the RMAFC to prioritize the welfare of Nigerian workers by advocating for a review of the national minimum wage, which is currently pegged at ₦ 70,000.

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“The new United States government calls for an increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage. If a foreign country can show such empathy for our suffering citizens, the RMAFC Chairperson and commission members have no valid reasons for not doing more,” Adeni said.

The Labor Party emphasized that the salary increase for the current political office holders would not be sensitive and harm to the public trust, calling on the commission to “trace the steps for the nation’s best interests.”