Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political leaders, describing it as “provocative, scandalous, and insensitive.”
Obi made the remarks in a post on his X account on Wednesday night, warning that the plan has already triggered widespread anger among Nigerians, who are questioning both its necessity and timing.
“The recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) 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,” Obi wrote.
According to him, the move reflects the greed and insensitivity of political leaders, adding that it amounts to prioritising the welfare of politicians over the basic needs of ordinary citizens.
“Such thinking in the face of faster-eroding living standards of the people not only portrays the insensitivity of leaders but also exposes their greed,” he said.
Obi described the RMAFC’s action as reckless, stressing: “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!”
The former Anambra State governor insisted that the proposed over 100 percent salary increment for political office holders is unjustifiable given Nigeria’s harsh economic realities.
“The proposed over 100% salary increase for political office holders is totally unjustifiable considering the economic realities facing our country. We believe that political office is a service to the nation, and not a means to accumulate wealth,” he added.
Obi also criticised the neglect of security personnel and other public workers whose sacrifices keep the country running while politicians continue to enjoy excessive privileges.
“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. We urge the government to redirect its focus towards improving the living conditions of public workers, who are the backbone of our country,” Obi wrote.
He urged RMAFC to withdraw the proposal and instead focus on improving the welfare of Nigerians, especially public service workers who he said have been “neglected for far too long.”
