The Labor Party (LP) presidential candidate in the recently concluded general election, Peter Obi has slammed President Bola Tinubu and Vice-president Kashim Shettima over the 114 per cent salary increment report for elected politicians and public office holders.
Reports have it that the now refuted reapproval by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Taxation Commission (RMAFC) applied to positions such as President, Vice President, Governors, Legislators, and Judicial and Public Office Holders.
Obi voiced his disapproval via his verified Twitter account, saying the pay rise was premature given the current economic situation of Nigerians, where more than one hundred and thirty million people lived in poverty.
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He argued that leaders should focus on reducing government costs and alleviating the suffering of citizens.
He said:
“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.”
He went on to emphasize that leaders must prioritize the welfare of the masses and people in vulnerable situations, rather than focusing on their interests.
Obi called for the salary increase to be reversed and suggested that the savings be channeled into improving education, health care, and poverty reduction, especially in remote rural areas.
The salary increase proposal was announced by the federal government through the RMAFC, which defended its decision because the review took into account its impact on the economy and aimed to adjust the salary of politicians, public, and judicial of the country at approximately 114%.
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