Peter Obi has knocked the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission over its proposed 114% increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice president, governors, and lawmakers.
RMAFC has come under heavy criticism over its recommendation for an increase in the basic salaries of public office holders in the country.
Chairman of the commission, Muhammadu Shehu, who was represented by the RMAFC commissioner from Kebbi State, Mrs. Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, dropped the bombshell on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, while presenting the reviewed remuneration package of political and judicial office holders to the State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris.
But Obi described the recommendation as “insensitive,” warning that it should not be the priority of a nation still struggling with minimum wage with over 133 million Nigerians currently living in abject poverty.
The former Anambra governor faulted the move via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday.
He tweeted, “I learned 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.”
