RMAFC’S Pay Hike Plan Sparks National Outrage
—CUPP Labels Proposal ‘Insensitive, Greedy,’ Demands Workers’ Welfare First
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
A storm of public anger has trailed the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) proposal to increase the salaries of political office holders by a staggering 114 percent.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the move, branding it as an insult to Nigerians battling economic hardship.
In a strongly-worded statement signed by its chieftain, Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP described the proposal as “a shameless prioritization of politicians’ greed over the welfare of ordinary citizens.” The coalition insisted that the plan must be withdrawn immediately, warning that it threatens to deepen public distrust in government.
The controversial RMAFC proposal, covering the President, Vice President, Ministers, Governors, lawmakers and other top office holders, comes at a time when inflation is soaring, unemployment is rising, and millions of Nigerians struggle daily to afford food and basic necessities.
Chief Ameh did not mince words: “The reckless haste in pushing this increment is scandalous. It shows insensitivity to the plight of millions of Nigerians who are daily struggling to put food on their tables. Leadership should be about sacrifice and service, not personal enrichment.”
CUPP further raised alarm over the opaque nature of politicians’ earnings, stressing that allowances, perks, and hidden privileges already make their total take-home far higher than disclosed.
The coalition said this lack of transparency only makes the proposed increment more outrageous.
Beyond politicians’ salaries, CUPP pointed to the neglect of workers whose services keep the nation running.
“Teachers, doctors, civil servants, and especially security personnel like the police are grossly underpaid and overworked. They, not politicians living in luxury, deserve urgent salary reviews,” the statement read.
The coalition urged President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to reject the proposal outright and redirect efforts toward easing Nigerians’ suffering. “This is a matter of urgency. Nigerians deserve leaders who are compassionate and responsive, not exploitative. The people must come first,” Ameh concluded.
As public debate intensifies, labour unions, civil society groups, and opposition parties are already mobilizing to resist the plan, describing it as yet another betrayal of the masses by the political elite.