Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has sharply criticised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) plan to increase salaries for political office holders by over 100 per cent.
Addressing the proposal on his X handle on August 20, 2025, Obi condemned the move as prioritising the greed of politicians over the welfare of Nigeria’s struggling majority. “The RMAFC’s reckless haste in prioritising the greed of Politicians over the desperate needs of the masses is not only provocative but scandalous,” he said. “It’s a shameless grab for more at the expense of Nigeria’s struggling majority!”
Obi emphasised that political office should be viewed as a service to the nation and not a vehicle for personal wealth accumulation. He criticised the commission for valuing the welfare of political leaders above that of public servants, especially police officers who continue to face poor pay and harsh working conditions.
“The welfare of public workers, who are the backbone of Nigeria, must be prioritised, particularly the police who are grossly underpaid and overworked,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra governor’s comments resonate with widespread public concern about the appropriateness and timing of the proposed pay hike, coming amid Nigeria’s challenging economic realities.
Alongside Obi, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) rejected the salary increment plan as insensitive and ill-timed, highlighting that in economically troubled countries leaders typically accept pay cuts rather than increases.
Despite the controversy, RMAFC chairman Mohammed Shehu defended the review, arguing that current remuneration levels are outdated and disproportionately low for top political officials given their responsibilities.
