- The announcement has drawn the ire of the citizens with many describing it as obnoxious and insensitive to the plight of suffering of Nigerians.
Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has expressed his revulsion at the move by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to raise the salaries of Political Leaders.
The commission had on Monday announced plans to increase the salaries of President Bola Tinubu, Vice president, Kashim Shettima, senators, house of representatives members and other elected public officers.
The announcement has drawn the ire of the citizens with many describing it as obnoxious and insensitive to the plight of suffering of Nigerians.
Reacting to the development, Obi said the proposed wage increase amid unprecedented cost of living crisis and crippling inflation does not only highlight the “insensitivity of leaders but also exposes their greed.”
In a statement on his X page on Wednesday night, the former presidential candidate noted that “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.”
He opined that the political office should be a service to the nation, and not a avenue to amass riches.
“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. We urge the government to redirect its focus towards improving the living conditions of public workers, who are the backbone of our country.
“We call on the RMAFC to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, particularly those in the public service, who have been neglected for far too long,” he stated.