The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the suspension of a proposed salary increase for political office holders across the country.
The civic advocacy group, known for its anti-corruption campaigns and legal interventions, described the move to raise salaries for the president, vice president, governors, deputies, and federal lawmakers as “morally indefensible” amid Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis.
In a statement released on Saturday, SERAP said approving higher wages for public officials while millions of Nigerians struggle with inflation, unemployment, and rising poverty levels would amount to “a reckless misuse of public resources.” The organisation noted that such a policy would widen inequality and erode public trust in government institutions.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the group would take legal action if the Tinubu administration fails to act within the stipulated timeframe. “The government has a constitutional obligation to prioritise the welfare and security of citizens, not the enrichment of politicians. We will not hesitate to seek judicial intervention to stop this unjustifiable pay rise,” he warned.
The proposal, reportedly under review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has already stirred heated debate among Nigerians. Critics argue that political leaders are already among the highest-paid in the country, while sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure remain underfunded.
Civil society organisations and labour unions have also joined calls for the plan to be scrapped. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described the proposal as “tone-deaf” in light of ongoing demands for improved wages for civil servants and the removal of fuel subsidies that have worsened living conditions for ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has yet to issue an official response to SERAP’s ultimatum. However, government insiders suggest that consultations with the RMAFC are ongoing.
Analysts believe the controversy could further test Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, which has faced both domestic resistance and international scrutiny since his administration took office in 2023.
With the seven-day deadline now in place, attention is likely to shift to whether the government will shelve the proposal or risk a legal showdown with one of the country’s most prominent rights groups.
