Why Should Senators Earn ₦30m and Police Get Crumbs? – Sowore

Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for a significant upward review of the salaries earned by rank-and-file members of the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Sowore argued that it is unjust for Nigerian senators to take home ₦30 million monthly, while the policemen who guard them earn a fraction of that.

“We’re concerned about the people who are really doing the work, and it is time for us to be on their side to ensure that they are well paid, well remunerated, and when they are no longer in service, they don’t become paupers,” he said.

Sowore questioned why a policeman cannot earn ₦500,000 monthly, describing it as “maybe about $300 a month,” and highlighting that such an amount is what some people earn daily elsewhere.

“I mentioned earlier that an average senator takes home ₦30 million per month, but the senator can’t leave home except they are accompanied by the police. So, why is it that senators are taking home ₦30 million per month, but the policeman cannot earn ₦500,000 per month?” he asked.

He also criticised the disparity between the salaries of police pension administrators and the retired officers whose funds they manage.

“The pension company, an average worker there makes about a million per month, that’s the least that they make, and the people whose pension they are managing are dying of poverty. Sometimes, you just wake up in this country and wonder if anybody is thinking,” Sowore lamented.

He noted that many officers retire with monthly pensions of ₦57,000 or, at most, ₦140,000, depending on their rank — amounts he said are insufficient in a country with over 24% inflation.

Sowore also spoke on the planned July 21 protest by policemen over poor remuneration. According to him, the date was chosen by the officers themselves, who are determined to press their demands.

He called on Nigerians, particularly celebrities who benefit from police protection, to lend their voices to the cause.

“I know that the ones that accompany celebrities get better pay, they get incentives, but at the end of the day, it’s important that you all step out for the police,” he said.