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Proposed 114% Salary Hike For Politicians, Public Officers: Peter Obi Kicks

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Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last presidential election, has kicked against the decision made by politicians including President Bola Tinubu, over the recently proposed 114 per cent salary increase for elected officials and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Obi in a series of tweets on Thursday, expressed his disapproval stating categorically that the salary increment is at this moment is a deed in bad taste, considering the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

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

Below is a thread of his tweets.

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,

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023

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.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023

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.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023

In the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser, “What touches us ourself shall be last served.” The leaders, therefore, should prioritize what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023

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. -PO

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 22, 2023

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Kogi Commissioner confirms release of remaining abducted orphanage victims

The operation, carried out in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area, resulted in the safe recovery of five boys, two girls, and two adult females.

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Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has confirmed the safe return of all those kidnapped from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage in Lokoja.

Gunmen stormed the orphanage on April 26 and abducted 23 children, including the proprietor’s wife. Following intervention by security operatives, 15 victims were rescued on April 27.

In a statement Commissioner Fanwo said that the remaining nine victims regained freedom during a rescue operation conducted in the early hours of yesterday.

He described the development as a breakthrough against criminal elements operating within the state and a relief to affected families.

According to him, troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army led the coordinated search-and-rescue mission with support from other security agencies.

The operation, carried out in the Agbaja Forest axis of Lokoja Local Government Area, resulted in the safe recovery of five boys, two girls, and two adult females.

Fanwo said the remaining nine victims regained freedom during a rescue operation conducted in the early hours of Wednesday.

He described the development as a breakthrough against criminal elements operating within the state and a relief to affected families.

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FCCPC, NAFDAC sign consumer protection MoU

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at improving consumer experiences and ensuring value for money.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, described the partnership as a deliberate step towards strengthening collaboration in the interest of Nigerian consumers, particularly in areas where product safety and consumer protection intersect and require coordinated action.

In her remarks, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described the MoU as a step in the right direction.

“We have had similar arrangements in the past, but this represents an improved version of the partnership,” she said.

She commended the FCCPC leadership for its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers and reaffirmed NAFDAC’s dedication to fully implementing the provisions of the agreement.

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Benue Assembly Suspends Auditor General over ₦4.6BN Fraud Allegation

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…..Passes State Symbol Bill

The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended the Auditor General for Local Government, Mr. Abraham Gberidyer, over allegations of financial misappropriation and fraud amounting to ₦4.6 billion.

The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, following a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia through the Head of Service.

According to the letter, Gberidyer is currently under investigation for corruption and cannot continue in office in line with constitutional provisions on the removal of corrupt public officers.

The House voted unanimously to suspend him to allow for a proper investigation. The Speaker said the move is necessary to uphold accountability and protect public funds at the local government level. I

n other legislative business, the Assembly passed into law a bill for the creation and adoption of the Benue State Symbol and Anthem, 2026, after considering the report of the House Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism.

The Speaker directed the Clerk to produce clean copies for the Governor’s assent. A separate bill to repeal the 2017 Sports Marketing and Lotteries Board Law and re-enact the 2024 Lotteries, Public Online Lotteries, Gaming and Sports Marketing Board Law scaled second reading.

The proposed law aims to expand digital integration, optimize revenue, strengthen consumer protection against underage gambling, and equip the board with enforcement powers to clamp down on unlicensed operators.

The House also passed a third reading bill to extend the retirement age and improve remuneration for magistrates and legal officers in the Ministry of Justice, to retain experienced manpower in the justice sector.

In addition, the Benue Pension Harmonization Bill, which seeks to increase pensions for retirees, passed its second reading. The pension bill was sponsored by Hon. Douglas Akya of Makurdi South State Constituency.

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