The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the planned 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected political office-holders, including the President, vice president, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public servants, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
In a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, Obi said such action was ill-timed as ordinary Nigerians were struggling with harsh economic realities with about 130 million of citizens living in poverty.
He, therefore, opined that Nigerian leaders should rather sacrifice and focus on cutting cost of governance including lifting Nigerians out of poverty.
I learnt with great reservation, the approval of a 114% increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation,
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023
LEADERSHIP reports that RMAFC had denied the reported approval of 114% salary increase for political office-holders and judicial officers, saying it was only a proposal in the making.
However, the LP presidential wrote: “I learnt with great reservation, the approval of a 114% increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
“This is not the appropriate time for such salary increment if it is at all necessary. We are living in a time when an average Nigerian is struggling with many harsh economic realities, and with over 130 million Nigerians now living in poverty. This is a moment when recent reform measures by the government have increased living costs astronomically.
“One would expect the leaders and public officeholders to focus on cutting the cost of governance, alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians. This moment calls for creative ways of pulling the majority out of poverty.
“In the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser, “What touches us ourself shall be last served.” The leaders, therefore, should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves.
“The sacrifice, at this time in our nation, should be borne by the leaders. The increment should be reversed immediately, and the savings should be devoted to fixing education, healthcare and poverty alleviation especially in the remote rural areas.”
