Civil Society organisations has opposed the proposed 114percent increase in the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders in the country.
They raised concerns over the country’s economic stability and social inequality, with the proposed salary increase potentially exacerbating existing issues.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and Head of Transparency International (Nigeria), described the increase as “unjustifiable” in an exclusive interview with Vanguard.
“They are already being overpaid. The country’s resources cannot sustain the salary increases,” Musa said.
He added that the move was unfair to other workers and professionals who contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development, such as teachers, doctors, engineers, and lawyers.
Musa also warned that the salary increase would further widen inequality and disparity among Nigerians, as well as increase political violence.
Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education, CHRICED, criticized the current administration’s decision.
“If the current government were acting in good faith, its primary concern would be how to lift over 133 million Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty,” Dr. Ibrahim said.
On his part, a law lecturer, Mr Gbenga Ojo, described the development as absurd.
He said: ”The civil servants who are the engine rooms of their various ministries and by extension of the government, despite the galloping inflation and increase in the prices of fuel and other attendant consequences on the cost of living across the board, are not enjoying such a privilege.
”Cost of electricity is also on the increase. Middle-class will go into extinction. The decision, unless it cuts across, is immoral and indefensible.
”What of teachers, lecturers or doctors? Well let’s wait and see the consequences of all these actions. Civil servants will collect taxes etc and political office holders will take the money, difficult to understand.”
