*Says attention should focus on the poor in society
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has faulted the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on its proposed 114 % increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, Vice President, Governors, and lawmakers.
The LP standard bearer on February 25, 2023, presidential elections, described the recommendation as insensitive, especially coming at a time the country is still struggling with minimum wage issues, with over 133 million Nigerians living in abject poverty.
Obi said in a tweet on Thursday that the leaders and public officeholders should rather focus on cutting the cost of governance, and alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
“I learned 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 Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.
“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.
“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 Caesar, ‘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.”
