Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has kicked against moves to increase the salaries of political office holders, warning that such a step would inflame public anger.
Okorie, speaking on Wednesday, faulted the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal for an upward review of politicians’ emoluments, describing the move as insensitive and ill-timed.
According to him, Nigerians are already grappling with severe economic hardship caused by government policies, and raising political leaders’ pay would only deepen public resentment.
“What RMAFC is saying is that, as a commission, it is insensitive to the feelings of Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the policy choices of politicians,” Okorie said.
He stressed that instead of contemplating higher salaries, the commission should be considering a pay cut for those in power.
“The hunger and anger in the land is seen and felt by almost everyone. They should not be talking about increasing the pay of political office holders; in fact, they should be talking about a downward review,” he added.
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