By Osa Mbonu-Amadi
After making policies that increased petrol price to N550 per liter (from N185), caused 400% increase in electricity tariffs, devalued naira and brought plans to increase fees in public schools without any visible palliative for the masses, the Tinubu-led Federal Government, through the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, has approved a 114% increase in the salaries of the President, Vice President, governors, lawmakers, judicial and public office holders, and all elected politicians.
The commission also urged the 36 state houses of assemblies to hasten efforts on amendment of relevant laws to give room for upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial and public officers.
RMAFC Chairman, Muhammadu Shehu who said the implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages was effective from January 1, 2023, was represented by a federal commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba at the presentation of reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the move was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).
The Chairman also said that the Commission was 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%.”
The Chairman explained that with respect to the judicial office holders, the Commission considered the introduction of three new allowances.
He listed the allowances thus:
“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.
“Restricted or Forced Lifestyle: This is to take care of the nature of the lifestyle of judicial officers while in active service.”
The removal of subsidy has brought about unprecedented hardship on the poor masses. While acknowledging the hardship, Tinubu has called for perseverance.
But many Nigerians have also called for the cutting down on the cost of governance, recalling the statement made by Remi, Tinubu’s wife, during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, where she said: “God has blessed my family. We don’t need the wealth of Nigeria to survive but to do the right thing.”
