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Why We Want Public Officials Salaries Increase By 114% – RMAFC Explains
The rationale behind the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) suggestion for a review of the country’s political office holders at a higher level was presented on Wednesday.
President Bola Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shettima, federal and state legislators, governors, and judicial officials were among the elected public officials whose salaries the commission had proposed increasing by 114%.
To be passed by the National Assembly, an executive bill would first need to receive approval from the president and other cabinet members.
The public, however, which had anticipated the new administration to make expense reductions in order to address the nation’s low revenue and other economic issues, strongly condemns the decision.
But the commission argued that the increment was long overdue, adding that the last time the affected public officials’ salaries were increased was 16 years ago.
Speaking with Arise news, a Federal Commissioner of the RMAFC, Mr. Hassan Usman, noted that elected officials as well as the populace were all confronted with the same economic situation.
The RMAFC is saddled with the responsibility of determining the appropriate remuneration for political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices as mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution.
However, as a result of the recommendation, the commission has called on the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly to hasten efforts on the amendment of relevant laws to give room for upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers.
According to the commissioner, “The consumer price index is for everybody; private and the public”, adding that the scenario formed part of their consideration for the increment.
While pointing out that the commission could not fold their hands and watch, “until when the sacrificial lamb is dead or killed”, Usman argued that the salary of Nigeria’s President is one of the lowest when compared and with all the other presidents, adding that the annual salary of the president falls around N7 million.
He, however, clarified that the increment was on only the basic salary of the public officials.
“We didn’t increase the allowances. All we did was increase the basic salary and then of course the allowances are there the way they are, they are only commensurate percentages of the basic salary,” he said.
He further explained that the reviews are in four volumes, involving the federal government and the Federal Capital Territory on one hand and the governors, state legislators as well as local governments on the other.
“Volume one entails the review of the federal government and the FCT , volume two for the state government and the local government, volume three is for the judiciary from top to bottom and volume four; is for the legislature, from the federal legislature to the state and even local government council.
“The volumes are there, we have submitted them, they are just recommendations. We have submitted to the office of Mr President and he is going to take them to the National Assembly for the federal government and FCT and those for the states would be legislated upon by the state houses of assembly”, he added.
Earlier, the RMAFC had revealed that it recommended a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the president, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders.
He said the last remuneration review was conducted in 2007, noting that it culminated in the, “certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.”
Shehu said, “It empowers the revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal commission to determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders, including 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 the constitution of the federal government.
“Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the remuneration packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant sections of the 1999 constitution (as amended) should be reviewed.
“Pursuant to the above, your excellency may please recall that on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023, the commission held a one-day zonal public hearing on the review of the remuneration package simultaneously in all the six geo-political zones of the country. The aim of the exercise was to harvest inputs/ideas from a broad spectrum of stakeholders.”
He said the commission had objectively and subjectively reviewed the salary packages in the reports, adding that it adheres to the rules of equity and fairness, risk and responsibilities, national order of precedence among others.
“The subjective criteria reflected the various expressions by stakeholders through memoranda received, opinions expressed during the zonal public hearings and responses to questionnaires administered.
“The objectives of the criteria were obtained from analysis of macro-economic variables particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI),” he noted.
The chairman added that the commission was also guided by some principles, including equity and fairness; risk and responsibilities; national order of precedence; motivation and tenure of office.
Shehu said 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 per cent.”
The chairman explained that with respect to the judicial office holders, the commission considered the introduction of three new allowances.
He listed the allowances to include, “Professional Development Assistant: This is to allow for the provision of two law clerks to all judicial officers in the country.
“Long Service Allowance: This is to guarantee seniority/hierarchy between officers who have been on the bench for a minimum of five years and those that are appointed newly.
Several state governors have converged in Abuja for a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the prevailing security situation in the country expected to feature prominently in their discussions.
The meeting is being chaired by the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Among the governors in attendance are Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule.
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Deputy governors are also representing some state governors, including those from Katsina, Yobe, Niger and Oyo states.
The official agenda of the meeting has not been made public.
However, the security situation across the country is expected to be among the key issues considered by the governors.
The meeting comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, including recent reports of a major mass kidnapping in Niger State that has drawn renewed attention to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The NGF provides a platform for the 36 state governors to deliberate on issues affecting their states and coordinate positions on matters of national importance.
The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence to support his allegation that some police officers share information about wealthy travellers with kidnappers.
The Force made the demand in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Thursday, following remarks attributed to VDM at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt.
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VDM had alleged that police officers manning checkpoints along major highways identify wealthy travellers and pass information about their identities and movements to kidnappers and bandits, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
Reacting to the allegation, the police described the claim as serious but rejected it as unsubstantiated and damaging to an institution responsible for protecting millions of Nigerians.
According to the Force, allegations of such magnitude require credible evidence, stressing that officers deployed to checkpoints and other locations across the country are mandated to prevent crime, detect criminal activity and protect citizens.
The police also pointed to the risks faced by its personnel, saying officers routinely confront the same criminal elements they are accused of colluding with.
The Force said several police officers had been ambushed, attacked and killed, while police stations, formations and operational assets had also come under attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and other violent criminals.
It cautioned against generalising allegations of misconduct to cover hundreds of thousands of police officers who serve under difficult and often dangerous conditions.
“Where individual officers are found to have compromised their duty, they will face the full weight of internal discipline and the law. But an entire institution should not be condemned on the strength of a public statement made without evidence,” the statement said.
The Force subsequently invited Otse to submit any evidence in his possession, including information supporting his claim that checkpoint personnel identify wealthy individuals and relay their movements to kidnappers.
“Any such information will be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly,” the police said.
The police also urged members of the public who have credible evidence of police misconduct to report through appropriate channels.
It assured Nigerians that such complaints would be investigated and necessary action taken where wrongdoing is established.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, saying it would continue to investigate credible allegations of misconduct regardless of how they arise.
However, it urged the public to exercise caution when making or circulating allegations involving national security institutions.
The police said legitimate criticism could strengthen accountability, while unsubstantiated claims could undermine public trust and national security.
The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Danjuma Shekwolo, has clarified his controversial remarks in a viral video where he appeared to tell residents who do not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) to leave the council.
Shekwolo, who came under criticism following the circulation of the video, said his remarks were made in a specific context during a meeting with APC youths and loyalists and were subsequently taken out of context.
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In the viral footage, the chairman was heard saying: “I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing with you.”
The statement sparked concerns over political intimidation and residents’ freedom to support political parties of their choice, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, in a clarification issued on Wednesday, Shekwolo said he had no intention of disenfranchising residents or denying anyone their fundamental rights.
According to him, the meeting where the statement was made focused on administrative efficiency, local development and the welfare of communities within Kuje Area Council.
“The remarks in question were made in a specific context aimed at addressing administrative efficiency, local development, and community welfare. You may recall that event that led to the unfortunate incident was a meeting with the APC party youths and loyalties,” he said.
The chairman stressed that political affiliation could not be used as a basis for denying residents their rights.
“And as the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, I have no right to disenfranchise any residents or citizen of their fundamental human rights in the council,” Shekwolo said.
He also denied any intention to create disaffection or undermine any group, saying his administration remained committed to serving all communities in Kuje.
“At no point did I intend to cause disaffection, undermine any group, or promote policies that do not serve the best interest of our citizens,” he said.
Shekwolo further appealed to residents and stakeholders to support the development of Kuje regardless of their political, religious or ethnic differences.
“I urge the people of Kuje Area Council and the general public, regardless of their political affiliation, religious, or ethnic difference, to join hands with the administration to make Kuje the area council of our dreams,” he said.
The chairman also appealed to journalists to verify the context of statements before publishing reports, describing the media and government as “partners in progress.”
The controversy followed widespread criticism of the original remarks, with rights groups and political actors raising concerns over the implications of linking residency in Kuje to political support.
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