Peter Obi Denies Claims on Soldiers Rejecting Salary Hike

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, issued a statement on his X handle denying reports that he called on Nigerian soldiers to reject a salary increase approved by President Bola Tinubu. He described the claims as false and urged Nigerians to disregard them.

The salary increase, effective September 1, 2026, ranges from 30 to 80 percent for armed forces personnel, benefiting approximately 250,000 personnel and raising the annual salary bill from N660 billion to N924 billion, as stated by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Obi expressed unwavering respect for security forces and highlighted his advocacy for better equipment and protection for them.

He recalled an incident where soldiers were killed by insurgents, raising concerns about their safety. Obi pledged that if elected president, the welfare and safety of security personnel would be a priority, ensuring they are adequately protected in dangerous situations.