The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced its plans to review the salaries of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kasim Shettima, governors, judiciary officers, and other political office holders. Alhaji Muhammadu Shehu, the Chairman of RMAFC, revealed this during the presentation of the reviewed remuneration package reports to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi.
While the specific percentage of the salary increment was not mentioned, Shehu urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite the amendment of relevant laws to facilitate the upward review of remuneration packages for political, judicial, and public officers.
These statements come in the midst of speculations regarding a 114 percent increase in the salaries of Tinubu, Shettima, governors, judges, and other political figures. The RMAFC chairman, represented by Federal Commissioner Mrs Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, stated that the proposed salary review aligns with the provisions outlined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Government (as amended), specifically Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule.
He emphasized that the RMAFC is empowered to determine appropriate remuneration for various political office holders, including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators, and those mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of the Constitution.
Shehu noted that the last review of remuneration took place in 2007, resulting in the “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008.” Given the sixteen-year gap since the last review, he emphasized the importance of updating the remuneration packages for the mentioned office holders in accordance with the relevant sections of the constitution.
