Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We have some trending news for you today. Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has expressed his concerns over the alleged 114 percent increase in the salaries of political office-holders, judicial officials, and public office holders. In response to reports circulating on social media, which claim that President Bola Tinubu’s administration proposed this substantial raise, Mr. Obi has voiced his disapproval.
Peter Obi highlighted the timing of the salary increment, stating that it comes at an inappropriate moment when millions of Nigerians are struggling in poverty. He emphasized that the government should prioritize reducing the cost of governance and addressing the hardships faced by Nigerians.
In Peter Obi Words; He Tweeted:
“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.”
