The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has cleared the air on its reported imminent implementation of a 114 percent increase in the salaries of elected politicians.
The president, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders are all penciled to benefit from the remuneration raise.
Recall that RMAFC chairman, Muhammadu Shehu, represented by a federal commissioner, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, had presented reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, on Tuesday.
He said 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%.”
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RMAFC is the agency in charge of determining the appropriate remuneration for political officeholders including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, ministers, commissioners, special advisers, legislators, and the holders of the offices as mentioned in sections 84 and 124 of the constitution.
The proposal, which was developed during ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, needs the approval of 2/3 of states assemblies before it is presented to the President for assent.
However, the reports of salary raise for public officers have been greeted with outrage and vehement opposition with many calling the government inconsiderate and selfish.
The remuneration increment is also coming at a time there have been strident calls to prune recurrent expenditure of the government amid a slew of newly promulgated policies that have forced a huge chunk of the citizens into austerity.
However, reacting to the outrage, the Public Relations Officer of RMAFC, Christian Chukwu, said the increase is only a proposal.
He explained that the commission only began the review process in February.
“The truth of the matter is that the review is just like what we do in the revenue allocation formula, it takes some process. We had a general public hearing which took place in February and the story flying is that it took place in January 2023. How can it take effect in January when we started the process in February?
“The process involves sending it to the president after the review. The president will forward it to the National Assembly, the National Assembly after deliberation will now send it back to the president for assent then it becomes law.
“Therefore, the process has not been completed contrary to reports. You will hear from the RMFAC when it is completed, but for now, we are still in the process of reviewing the salary structure,” Chukwu said.
