The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to suspend the planned salary increase for political and public office holders across the country.
In a letter dated August 23, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to instruct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to halt the pay rise for top government officials, including the President, Vice President, governors, deputy governors, and federal lawmakers.
The group described the proposed increment as unconstitutional, unlawful, and insensitive to Nigeria’s current economic reality, where millions are facing hardship. It accused the RMAFC of arbitrarily approving higher salaries while several states struggle to pay workers and pensioners.
SERAP also asked Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to enforce an existing court ruling by Justice Chuka Obiozor ordering a downward review of National Assembly members’ salaries.
The organisation warned that allowing the pay rise would violate the public interest, stressing that the RMAFC lacks unchecked authority to arbitrarily adjust salaries without transparency and accountability.
It stated: “RMFAC cannot legitimately increase the salaries of political office holders at a time when over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty and many states cannot pay wages or pensions.”
SERAP further insisted that instead of raising salaries for politicians, government should cut excessive allowances and life pensions for past and serving political leaders.
The organisation threatened to take legal action should the President fail to act within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter.
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