Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the recently concluded general elections, has strongly criticized the recent approval by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) of a 114 percent increase in salaries for elected politicians. This includes the President, Vice President, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders.
Obi argues that this salary increment is ill-timed and inappropriate, given the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
With over 130 million people living in poverty, he believes that leaders and public officeholders should prioritize cutting the cost of governance and alleviating the sufferings of the Nigerian population.
In a statement posted on his verified Twitter account, Obi expressed his disappointment and stated that leaders should be focusing on the welfare of the masses and those in lower socio-economic strata, rather than their own interests. He emphasized that the current situation demands creative solutions to uplift the majority of Nigerians from poverty.
Obi quoted Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, saying,
“What touches us ourselves shall be last served,” to highlight the need for leaders to prioritize the concerns of the people. He called for an immediate reversal of the salary increment and suggested that the saved funds should be redirected towards improving education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, particularly in remote rural areas.
