The joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives has proposed a salary cut for top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, National Assembly members, and other political officeholders.
The proposal, presented during an interactive session with the Judiciary and political parties, suggests a 40% salary reduction for executive members, including the President, Vice President, and other top officials.
National Assembly members, including Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas, would also face a 30% salary cut.
The joint committee, led by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, argued that the salary cuts are necessary to reduce the financial burden on the government and redirect resources to critical sectors.
The proposal is part of a comprehensive package of 35 recommendations aimed at reforming the electoral process and reducing the cost of governance. Other proposals include conducting all elections in a single day, rather than the current staggered system, to save costs.
Additionally, the committee suggested linking continuous voter registration to the National Identity Number (NIN) to enhance security and reduce costs during voter registration.
Political parties at the session also advocated for the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman to be advertised publicly, rather than being the responsibility of the executive.
The proposals come amid growing calls from Nigerians for the government to reduce its cost of governance, as the country continues to grapple with economic hardship.