The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has staunchly condemned the proposed salary increases for political leaders in the country by Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The Coalition Party said, the salaries of Nigeria’s political office holders “are already supplemented with sundry bogus and opaque allowances which together far exceed what ordinary Nigerians earn.”
The ADC also said, the ₦70,000 monthly national minimum wage “has been largely eroded by the APC’s inflation, even where it has been paid”, adding, instead of enriching Politicians the more, government should channel its policies towards prioritizing increase in the national minimum wage to a “living standard”, as well as, making sure “timely and fair” salaries for civil servants.
According to a Press Statement titled ‘ADC Rejects Increase in Salaries of Political Office Holders’, signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress, on Wednesday 20 August, 2025: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the plan by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, governors, and other top officials. We are aware of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country.
“However, proposing such review at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people.
“While the Chairman of RMAFC attempting to justify the proposed increases by describing the current pay structure of political office holders as “inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated,” the ADC wishes to draw the public’s attention to the fact that these salaries are already supplemented with sundry bogus and opaque allowances, perks, and other discretionary funds, which together far exceed what ordinary Nigerians earn.
“How else are the political office holders able to support their lifestyle of luxury and opulence if indeed these “outdated” salaries means anything to them.
“In light of these developments, the ADC demands that this absurd plan be suspended immediately.
“No such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship. Government should focus on improving the lives of the people rather than improving the salaries of the President and other political office holders who already live in obscene indulgence.
“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary citizens while they focus on making lives easier for themselves. Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships, while the everyday-Nigerian suffers.
“As a party, we strongly believe that rather than further enriching political elites, all government policies at this time should prioritize raising the minimum wage to a living standard, ensuring timely and fair salaries for our civil servants, and strengthening our social welfare programs to reach the most vulnerable Nigerians.”
