The African Democratic Congress (ADC)has vehemently rejected the proposed salary increase for political office holders in Nigeria, urging an immediate suspension of the plan. The party's national publicity secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi,articulated this stance in a statement issued from Abuja, emphasizing that such a significant pay hike is unjust and inappropriate given the current economic struggles faced by millions of Nigerians.

Abdullahi highlighted the severe challenges ordinary citizens are enduring, including soaring food inflation, escalating fuel costs, and an inadequate, often unpaid, minimum wage. He pointed out that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had proposed this review for the salaries of the President, Vice President, governors, and other senior officials. While acknowledging RMAFC's constitutional mandate to periodically review emoluments, Abdullahi stressed that proposing such an increase at a time of widespread financial hardship demonstrates a profound disregard for the populace.

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The ADC further criticized the attempt by the RMAFC chairman to justify these proposed increases, deeming it unacceptable. Abdullahi argued that political office holders' salaries are already substantially supplemented with various "bogus allowances" and discretionary funds, significantly exceeding the N70,000 minimum wage earned by most Nigerians. Unlike public office holders, the vast majority of Nigerians do not receive additional allowances or emoluments to mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living.

In light of these pressing issues, the ADC is demanding the immediate suspension of the proposed salary increment. The party asserts that no such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship.

Instead, the government should redirect its focus towards improving the lives of its people, rather than prioritizing the enrichment of political office holders who already live in affluence. Abdullahi underscored that the government lacks the moral authority to demand sacrifices from ordinary citizens while simultaneously making life easier for its own officials.

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"Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships, while the everyday-Nigerian suffers," Abdullahi stated. The ADC believes that rather than further enriching the political elite, all government policies at this juncture should prioritize raising the minimum wage to a living standard, ensuring timely and fair salaries for civil servants, and strengthening social welfare programmes to effectively reach the most vulnerable Nigerians.