Politicians' Salary Increase Under Scrutiny: SERAP Challenges RMAFC in Legal Action

NEWS ARTICLE: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Challenges RMAFC's Proposal to Increase Politicians' Salaries

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal to increase the salaries of top political and public office holders, including the President, Vice President, governors, deputies, and lawmakers.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, argues that the proposed salary increase is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law. SERAP is seeking a declaration to this effect, as well as an order of injunction restraining RMAFC from taking any step to review the salaries upward.

The RMAFC has described the current salaries as "paltry," but SERAP contends that the grim condition of many Nigerians is worsened by the deterioration of public services where access to pipe-borne water, affordable healthcare, and reliable electricity remains a challenge. Instead of an increment, SERAP is demanding a downward review of salaries and allowances of the political class.

Under sections 154(1) and 156(3) and paragraph 31, Part I of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, members of the Commission are appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate. However, SERAP's suit contends that the RMAFC does not have unrestrained constitutional and statutory mandates to increase the salaries of the president, vice-president, governors, and their deputies, and lawmakers.

The idea of representative democracy, fairness, equality, and non-discrimination would mean little if the salaries of political office holders are arbitrarily increased while millions of poor Nigerians continue to suffer, according to SERAP. The organisation is urging the court to grant an order directing RMAFC to review downward the salaries and allowances to reflect the economic realities in Nigeria.

Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor of the Federal High Court Lagos has already ordered RMAFC to review downward the salaries, remuneration, or allowances of members of the National Assembly to reflect the economic realities in the country. The RMAFC ought to prioritize cutting the excessive amounts yearly budgeted as allowances for political office holders and life pensions for former presidents, vice-presidents, governors, and their deputies, and lawmakers, according to SERAP.

The lawsuit could determine whether politicians will get a pay rise at a time when ordinary Nigerians are struggling with inflation and declining living standards. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The proposed salary increase by RMAFC is a violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the country's human rights obligations, and the legal doctrine of reasonableness, according to SERAP. RMAFC has improperly and incorrectly exercised its constitutional and statutory mandates by increasing the salaries of political office holders, the organisation claims.

The lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing debate about income inequality and the distribution of resources in Nigeria. As the case progresses, it is expected to shed light on the balance that should be struck between the interests of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the population and the 'interests' of political office holders.