Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has launched a scathing critique against the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for its recent approval of a 114% salary increase for elected politicians and public office holders.
The raise applies to positions including the President, Vice President, governors, lawmakers, as well as judicial and public office holders.
Obi expressed his disapproval through a Twitter thread, highlighting the untimeliness of the salary increment in light of the prevailing economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
With over 130 million people living in poverty, Obi argued that leaders should be prioritising efforts to reduce the cost of governance and alleviate the suffering of citizens.
"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."
The proposal for the salary boost was announced by the Federal Government through the RMAFC, which defended its decision by stating that the review had considered its impact on the economy and aimed to adjust the remuneration of political, public, and judicial officeholders in the country by 114%.