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114% Salary Increase: Peter Obi Slams Tinubu, Others

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Following the recent report on different platforms that the Federal Government is set to increase the salaries of the President, the vice president, the judicial workers and others by 114%, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has reprimanded the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the Planned salary increment for elected officials and public office holders in the country.

He also slammed politicians, including President Bola Tinubu and his Vice for allowing this to take place.

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Obi in a series of tweets on Thursday, expressed disappointment over what he called an insensitive salary increase for political officeholders.

He described the salary increment at this moment as a deed in bad taste, considering the current economic situation and hardships faced by the citizens.

He cautioned that leaders should be focused on reducing the cost of governance and alleviating the suffering of the citizens.

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His words, ‘‘I learnt with great reservation, the approval of a 114% increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the President, vice, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilization 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 harsh economic realities and with over 130 million Nigerians now living in poverty.

READ ALSO: Tribunal: Tinubu, INEC Kick As Peter Obi Tenders Total PVCs In 32 States

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“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.

”The leaders, therefore, should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves. n the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Julius 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 themselves.’’

Also reacting to the salary increase, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice, CENSOJ, Ezeh Onyekpere described the proposed increase as irrational, illogical and antithetical to common sense.

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‘‘The proposed increase is irrational, illogical, antithetical to reason and common sense, considering that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been asking Nigerians to sacrifice and offer something in the national interest, the expectation was that such sacrifices by the popular masses of Nigerians, the poorest of the poor would have been matched with a greater sacrifice which should have been announced by the leadership class, who told us to tithen our belts.

‘‘The fact that people have lost their jobs and livelihood and their wages and salaries can no longer take them home in view of the increase in the price of PMS, following the withdrawal of subsidy and of course the liberalization of the Foreign Exchange regime which has increased prices.

‘‘So, the expectation was that the leadership should have offered something in return, or even cut down and not to think of an increase, so that the sacrifice of the masses will come a little close, not that it will be the same as the sacrifices of the Nigerian people.

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READ ALSO: INEC Refused To Provide Documents We Asked For — LP, Peter Obi Allege

‘‘It is a big shame, is a replication of what Bola Tinubu did in Lagos, he increased taxes, generated more money and of course, the political class in Lagos shared it. Nothing improved in Lagos, that is why during the political era, people were lying Tinubu built Lagos, what did Tinubu built?, 3rd Mainland bridge, Cather bridge, National theatre, airports in Lagos, army barracks, NTA? No, what exactly did he built? He wants to make Nigerians pay more money, so that the political class will sit down and share the money.

‘‘It is provocative, and I expect NLC to simply demand proper living wage for Nigerians and they should insist on that. If Tinubu and Co insist on this, let them ground Nigeria until they get back to their sense because this is idiotic and stupid. I have no apology, if they think now is the time for them to increase their wages. And moreover, when you think of the National assembly, what is written on paper is not what they collect. What else do they really want? Shehu Sani told us what they collect. I am sorry, is a bunch of villains. The devil is at work and it needs to go back to pit of hail.’’

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Social and economic rights advocate, Frank Tietie stated that the President, Bola Tinubu should have announced long time ago that he would not be collecting salary.

According to Tietie, who spoke during an interview said, ‘‘by the time the president take this position including the governors, the national spirit will be revived and this could help in rebuilding the system.’’

Frank Tietie also recalled that just recently the first Lady stated that the family is rich and has enough, there would not be any need for her to have such an increase in salaries.

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He expressed his disappointment over the report that salaries of public servants will be increased by 114%.

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INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

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The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

READ ALSO:Things To Know As INEC Begins Physical Voter Registration Monday

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The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

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READ ALSO: ADC: Why INEC Has Not Recognised David Mark, Others

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

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“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

 

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

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Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

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“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

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Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

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He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends 67 Dukes

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“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed. 

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“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

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