Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, emphasized the need for sacrifice from Nigeria’s leaders to achieve economic stability.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, he expressed concern about reports of a 114% pay increase for political figures and public office holders.
Obi highlighted that such news is disheartening considering the challenges faced by the general population due to recent government policies.
Obi said, “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.
“I learnt with great reservation the approval of 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 Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission RMAFC.
“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 suffering of Nigerians .
“This moment calls for creative ways of pulling the majority out of poverty.
“In the immortal words of Shakespeares Julious Ceaser, “What touches us ourselves shall be last served.”
“The leaders, therefore should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over ourselves.“