The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has slammed the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s proposal to increase salaries for political officeholders, calling it “insensitive” and “scandalous”.
The RMAFC had announced plans to review the salaries of top government officials, including the president, vice-president, and governors.
In a statement titled “Prioritising leaders’ greed over Basic Welfare”, Obi expressed his disappointment, saying the proposal is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians.
“The recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to increase the salaries of Political Leaders is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians, and we share the concerns of many Nigerians who question the necessity and timing of this proposal,” he wrote.
Obi condemned the RMAFC’s decision, stating that it portrays the insensitivity and greed of leaders. “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 emphasized that the proposed over 100% salary increase for political officeholders is unjustifiable considering the country’s economic realities.
According to Obi, political office is a service to the nation, not a means to accumulate wealth. “We believe that political office is a service to the nation, and not a means to accumulate wealth. It is totally unjustifiable considering the economic realities facing our country,” he stated.
Obi also criticized the RMAFC for prioritizing the welfare of political officeholders over security personnel, particularly police officers who are grossly underpaid and overworked.
“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,” he said.
He urged the federal government to focus on improving the living conditions of public workers, who are the backbone of the 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,” Obi added.