Peter Obi faults proposed salary raise for office holders

Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has criticised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission over its proposal to increase salaries for political office holders by over 100 per cent.

In a statement released late Wednesday on X, Obi described the move as a “shameless grab for more” at the expense of Nigeria’s struggling majority.

Obi argued that the salary hike is “totally unjustifiable” and exposes the “greed and insensitivity” of political leaders.

“The recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to increase the salaries of political leaders is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians, and we share the concerns of many Nigerians who question the necessity and timing of this proposal.

Such thinking in the face of faster-eroding living standards of the people not only portrays the insensitivity of leaders but also exposes their greed.

“The RMAFC’s reckless haste in prioritising the greed of Politicians over the desperate needs of the masses is not only provocative but scandalous.

“It’s a shameless grab for more at the expense of Nigeria’s struggling majority!

The proposed over 100% salary increase for political office holders is totally unjustifiable considering the economic realities facing our country,” Obi added.

The former Anambra State Governor emphasised that political office should be a service to the nation, not a means to accumulate wealth.

“We believe that political office is a service to the nation, and not a means to accumulate wealth.

“It is very disturbing that the RMAFC is prioritising the welfare of political office holders over that of security personnel, particularly police officers who are grossly underpaid and overworked,” he added.

Obi urged the government to redirect its focus towards improving the living conditions of public workers, who are the backbone of the country.

He also “called on the RMAFC to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, particularly those in the public service, who have been neglected for far too long.”