'Block Unlawful Pay Rise for Politicians'

‘Block Unlawful Pay Rise for Politicians’ – SERAP Urge Tinubu
Group cites economic hardship, poverty, and court rulings against hike.
SERAP threatens legal action if government fails to stop the increase

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to block the implementation of what it described as an “unlawful and unconstitutional” salary increase for political and public office holders.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a letter dated August 23, 2025, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Tinubu to reject the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) proposal to raise the salaries of the president, vice president, governors, deputies, and lawmakers.

The group insisted that any pay rise at a time of economic hardship would be unjustifiable and against public interest.

SERAP stressed that the RMAFC lacks constitutional powers to arbitrarily increase salaries of political leaders, warning that such a move would deepen citizens’ distrust in government.

The group cited a subsisting Federal High Court judgment directing the commission to review downward the allowances of National Assembly members to reflect Nigeria’s economic realities.

“The imminent pay rise for political and public office holders is a misuse of RMAFC’s mandate,” SERAP stated. “At a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty and several states struggle to pay workers and pensioners, increasing the salaries of political leaders is unjust and unreasonable.”

The rights group further argued that RMAFC ought to prioritise cutting excessive allowances, pensions, and perks of office holders, while directing resources to improve public services such as healthcare, electricity, and access to clean water.

SERAP also warned against favoritism, saying the commission consistently puts politicians’ interests above those of ordinary Nigerians.