The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has just approved a 300% pay rise for the Chief Justice of Nigeria and other Judicial officers, according to the news.
This came a day after the FG and organized labor failed yet again to agree a new wage structure proposed by labor following policies of government that have left the Naira as the worst performing currency on the planet.
The unfolding situation leaves one wondering: Are Judicial officers in Nigeria not part of the labor force? Why hurry to award a very generous pay rise for a section of the workforce while fighting to keep others down? Do Judicial officers buy from a different market than other Nigerians? Who sponsored this bill? When did it go for public hearing? What would be the implication of this move on negotiations with labor going forward?
Clearly, this is one of the many mindless contradictions of a political class that is short on logic and common sense but long on prebendalism and a desperate bid for self-preservation.
Apparently, the Nigerian Judiciary is being rewarded for a job well done following the “elections” of 2023 when its officers consistently subverted the popular will of Nigerian voters across the country by ignoring glaring irregularities to uphold dubious electoral results choreographed to keep discredited politicians and political parties in office.
Alternatively, this new special pay structure for the men and women in long wigs is an advance payment to ensure the support and sympathy of the Judiciary for future acts of impunity by politicians of the ruling party and their agents.
Yet another perspective is that by this move the Judiciary has been officially inducted into the Nigerian Political Hall of Shame where the nation’s resources are routinely shared among a few individuals and interest groups to the exclusion and detriment of the generality.
From this day henceforth, there is no more difference between the APC and the NJC (except in name) as the institutional safety walls between them have been surreptitiously dismantled by mischievous politicians, a conniving legislature and a mindless executive intent solely on regime protection.
Meanwhile, the same government which wants to award a 300% pay rise for the judiciary alone says paying labor’s new minimum wage demand of N494,000 ($329) monthly “will cripple the economy.”
One may even dare to ask; what economy? An economy on a tailspin where food prices have quadrupled in one year and real (not photoshopped) average inflation numbers have exceeded 100%?
Now, we know for certain who is killing the Nigerian economy and for exactly what purpose. This country is being systematically turned into a Medieval fiefdom where the peasants work solely for the profit of the lords and the king who appoints them at his pleasure.
A great calamity has befallen us. Africa’s once largest economy is unraveling before our eyes. What organized labor does in the next few days will be pivotal in deciding the destiny of Nigeria.
