The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has frowned at Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, over its proposed salary raise of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, and lawmakers by 114 percent.
Obi expressed his dismay through a tweet on Thursday, stressing that it is not the time for salary increment, if it is at all necessary.
Recall, the Chairman of the commission, Muhammadu Shehu, represented by RMAFC commissioner from Kebbi State, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, announced the proposal on Tuesday, 20th June at the state capital.
In the tweet, Obi also noted that the said recommendation is “insensitive”, as he also mentioned that it is not necessary for a nation that has over 130 million Nigerians living in poverty.
He tweeted, “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.
“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 prioritise 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.”