Falana Slams Proposal to Raise Lawmakers’ Salaries Amid Widespread Poverty

Senior human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has strongly condemned the proposed wage review for political office holders, describing it as “insensitive” given Nigeria’s dire economic situation.

Falana made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) recently suggested increasing the salaries of legislators and other public officers.

Reacting, Falana argued that the commission has ignored the harsh realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

“I want to believe that the RMAFC has not taken cognisance of the living standards in the country, particularly the harrowing experience of ordinary people,” he said.

Falana pointed to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty.

“It is insensitive for any agency of government, particularly RMAFC, to suggest an upward review of the emoluments of public officers,” he added.