Falana Rejects Politicians’ Pay Rise Amid Hardship

Rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has criticised plans to increase the salaries of Nigeria’s top political officeholders, calling it an insult to citizens struggling with inflation and rising living costs.

Falana argued that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had no justification to raise pay for the President, governors, or lawmakers while civil servants and ordinary Nigerians remain neglected.

“If salaries must be reviewed, it has to be holistic. Government must consider inequality and income disparity in the country,” he said.

He also accused lawmakers of pocketing allowances outside RMAFC’s control and reminded the commission of a court ruling that ordered a proper review of political pay in line with the economy.

According to him, raising leaders’ wages without cushioning the suffering of the masses would only deepen social injustice.