Nigeria is poor, elected officials should earn minimum wage – Soludo
Governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo has called for elected officials to start earning minimum wage, highlighting the urgent financial crisis facing Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday at a special edition of The Platform, an event organized by The Covenant Nation to promote national development, Soludo emphasised that Nigeria is financially strained.
The event coincided with the celebration of Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy.
Soludo pointed out that Nigeria’s economic woes are exacerbated by the extravagant lifestyles of government officials, which are sustained at the expense of the nation’s wealth.
He proposed that these officials should be paid the minimum wage to understand the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens, stressing that the current system is in a state of denial about the nation’s financial condition.
“Let’s come clean and straight with Nigerians. Nigeria is very poor and broke but the lifestyle of government and government officials does not show it, especially with the obscene flamboyance in public display,” Soludo said.
“The poor are hungry and impatient, let’s not annoy them more with our insensitivity.“
In this case, I agree with reverend father Mbaka, who said elected governors should also earn minimum wage. I agree that we should be paid that so that we can feel that as well.
“In Anambra, I have not received a kobo as salary since I assumed office. I have donated my salary to the state.“
It is symbolic. It is not much. I think generally, the system is in denial. There must be some signaling, it is just the symbolism of this.”
Soludo called for a new code of conduct for public officeholders to enhance fiscal prudence while performing the core duties for which they were elected.
