Our Reporter, Abuja
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the proposed salary increment for political leaders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), describing it as a reckless show of greed in the face of worsening hardship across the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday via his verified X handle, Obi said the plan to increase salaries of political office holders by over 100 percent is “totally unjustifiable” and a clear demonstration of insensitivity to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“The recent proposal by the RMAFC to increase the salaries of political leaders is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians, and we share the concerns of many who question the necessity and timing of this proposal,” Obi said.
He warned that such a move would further deepen public distrust in governance, insisting that political leadership is meant to be service, not an avenue for amassing wealth.
“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,” he stated.
Obi particularly decried the neglect of security personnel, especially police officers, who, despite being overworked and underpaid, continue to put their lives on the line for the safety of citizens.
“It is very disturbing that the RMAFC is prioritising the welfare of political office holders over that of security personnel. We urge the government to redirect its focus towards improving the living conditions of public workers, who are the backbone of our country,” he stressed.
The former Anambra State governor urged the commission to shelve the proposal and instead channel efforts toward policies that would uplift the welfare of Nigerians, especially those in the public service.
