Peter Obi criticizes proposed 114% Salary Increase for President and Governors

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed his disapproval of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) recommendation to increase the salaries of elected politicians in Nigeria, including the President, vice president, governors, and lawmakers, by 114 percent.

Peter Obi deemed the proposed salary increment as insensitive, emphasizing that it should not be a priority for a nation grappling with minimum wage and a significant population living in poverty.

The RMAFC, under heavy criticism for its recommendation, presented the reviewed remuneration package to the State Governor of Kebbi, Dr Nasir Idris. The chairman of the commission, Muhammadu Shehu, represented by Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, the RMAFC commissioner from Kebbi State, made the announcement in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Peter Obi took to his verified Twitter handle on Thursday to voice his disagreement with the salary increment. He expressed his reservations, stating,

“This is not the appropriate time for such a 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.”

Obi emphasized the need for leaders and public officeholders to prioritize reducing the cost of governance and alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians. He urged them to focus on creative ways of uplifting the majority of the population from poverty. Quoting Julius Caesar, Obi stated, “‘What touches us ourselves shall be last served.'”

According to Obi, leaders should prioritize the needs of the masses and those in lower socio-economic strata over their own interests. He stressed that, considering the current state of the nation, the burden of sacrifice should be borne by the leaders. Obi called for an immediate reversal of the salary increment and recommended that the savings be directed towards improving education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, especially in remote rural areas.

The proposed salary increase has generated significant debate, with many questioning its timing and the impact it will have on the overall welfare of the Nigerian people. As public discourse continues, it remains to be seen how the government and relevant authorities will respond to the concerns raised by Peter Obi and other critics of the proposed increment.