The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has launched a stinging attack on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for recently approving a 114% wage rise for elected lawmakers and public officeholders.
The increase applies to positions such as President, Vice President, governors, legislators, and judicial and public office holders.
Obi voiced his displeasure in a Twitter thread, noting the pay increase’s lateness in light of Nigerians’ current economic woes.
With nearly 130 million people living in poverty, Obi said leaders should prioritize measures to minimize the cost of governing while alleviating citizens’ suffering.
“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 Federal Government revealed the wage increase proposal via the RMAFC, which justified its decision by noting that the review evaluated the effect on the economy and planned to increase the compensation of political, public, and judicial officeholders in the nation by 114%.
