The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has condemned the alleged disproportionate and elitist remuneration system benefiting military officers, judges, and top political office holders.
The group called for an immediate end to these “class-apartheid” emoluments and demanded an increase in workers’ wages to align with the rising inflation rate. In a statement signed by its National Chairperson, Rufus Olusesan, and National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, CDWR insisted on the abolition of excessive salaries and allowances for political leaders, judges, and senior military officers, urging that their pay be reduced to match the average wage of skilled workers.
The statement criticized President Tinubu’s approval of extravagant benefits under the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for the Armed Forces. These include annual $20,000 medical allowances, bulletproof SUVs, and other perks for senior military officials, which the group described as a “disservice” to ordinary workers enduring poverty wages.
CDWR further linked the approval of such perks to the neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare system, arguing that medical tourism for top officials undermines the funding and quality of public healthcare. It emphasized that rather than promoting overseas medical treatment, the government should prioritize funding healthcare, improving professionals’ pay, and ensuring all citizens, including officials, use public health services.
The group also criticized the 300% increase in judges’ salaries and allowances approved in August 2024, arguing that judges already earned exorbitant pay before the hike. Similarly, it decried excessive salaries and allowances awarded to governors, legislators, and the president, labeling these payments as “legalized looting.”
CDWR expressed outrage that while the government claims it cannot afford to pay workers
