The Presidential Candidate of the Labor Party in the just concluded Presidential elections, Mr. Peter Obi has joined other stakeholders in expressing their disgust at the alleged 114% increase in salaries of Politicians, Judges and Public Office holders.
In a series of tweets, Peter Obi condemned the idea and asked for a rethink. 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. This is a moment when recent reform measures by the government have increased living costs astronomically.”.
Read also: Why the Student Loan Can not work- ASUU
Peter Obi advised the Presidency to cut the cost of Governance and use the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy to alleviate poverty and develop infrastructures.
“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 area”.
