The All Peoples Movement (APM) has criticised the proposed salary increase for political office holders in Osun State, calling it “unreasonable” and “ill-timed.”.
The party noted that the state government should prioritise the welfare of civil servants, pensioners, artisans, and the unemployed, who are bearing the brunt of the removal of subsidies, rather than increasing the salaries of political officeholders.
Recall that the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, divulged on Monday during plenary the House of Assembly intention to send a bill to Governor Ademola Adeleke on the increment of the salary packages of some political office holders in the state.
APM also pointed out that the state government should focus their attention on how to ameliorate the suffering of the vulnerable and unemployed in the state, adding that increasing the salaries of political officeholders now is not in the best interest of the critical mass of our people.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the party in Osogbo, Osun State capital, Wale Adebayo, he urged the state government to reconsider the proposal and prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable citizens rather than catering to the interests of political elites.
He further described the proposed salary increment as a misplaced priority, adding that the state government should focus more on addressing the state’s pressing issues, such as the improvement of the state’s healthcare and education systems and the provision of infrastructure and basic amenities to citizens.
“If the government goes ahead with the proposed salary increase, it would be seen as insensitive and callous and would further widen the gap between the political elite and ordinary citizens.”
Adebayo, however, urged the government to listen to the voices of the masses and prioritise the welfare of the people rather than catering to the interests of a few political officeholders.
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