‘Patently unlawful’—SERAP asks Tinubu to halt planned pay rise for politicians
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop the proposed salary increase for political and public office holders in Nigeria, describing it as “patently unlawful and unconstitutional.”
In a letter dated August 23, 2025, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, its deputy director, SERAP urged the president to direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to suspend the proposed pay rise for the president, vice-president, governors, deputies, and lawmakers.
The group also asked Tinubu to reject the package and encourage other political leaders to do the same, while mandating Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, to enforce a 2021 court judgement directing a downward review of lawmakers’ salaries and allowances.
“Suspending the imminent pay rise for political office holders would serve legitimate public interests,” the letter reads in part.
“RMAFC cannot arbitrarily increase salaries for politicians at a time when over 133 million Nigerians are poor and several states struggle to pay workers and pensioners.”
SERAP argued that the RMAFC had exceeded its constitutional mandate by prioritising the interests of political elites over the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, warning that the increase violated constitutional provisions on fairness, equality, and socio-economic rights.
The organisation said it would take legal action within seven days if the government failed to act.
While opposing higher pay for politicians, SERAP supported better remuneration for judges to improve access to justice and strengthen the fight against corruption.
Mohammed Bello, RMAFC chairman, had earlier defended the review, describing the existing salaries of political office holders as “paltry” and claiming the proposal was “fair, realistic, and sustainable.”
SERAP, however, noted that Chuka Obiozor, a judge of the federal high court, had in 2021 ordered a downward review of national assembly members’ pay to reflect prevailing economic realities.
SERAP has asked President Bola Tinubu to stop RMAFC’s proposed pay rise for political office holders, citing constitutional violations and worsening poverty. The group warned it would take legal action if the decision is not reversed within seven days.
