Prof. Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, has called for a substantial reduction in government expenditures in Nigeria. He expressed concern that, despite the country’s financial crisis, government officials continue to live lavishly at the expense of the general populace.
During a special edition of The Platform, an event organized by The Covenant Nation to celebrate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Soludo said the need for politicians to receive no more than the federal minimum wage to help mitigate the crisis.
Soludo remarked, “Let’s be honest with Nigerians. Nigeria is very poor and broke, yet the lifestyle of government officials shows otherwise, with their obscene flamboyance on public display. The poor are hungry and impatient, and we must not exacerbate their plight with our insensitivity.“
He added, “I agree with Reverend Father Mbaka, who suggested that elected governors should earn only the minimum wage. I believe we should be paid that amount so we can truly understand the situation. In Anambra, I haven’t received a salary since taking office; I have donated it to the state. It’s symbolic, not much, but it reflects the system’s denial. There needs to be a signal, a symbol of this change.”
Soludo also stressed the need to end wasteful spending in governance and reminded elected officials of their duty to serve the public trust. He proposed a new code of conduct for public officers to reinforce this principle.
He provided a stark financial context: “For the federal government, the projected revenue is about ₦6,160 per Nigerian per month. For most states, excluding Lagos and a few others, revenues are less than ₦3,000 per resident per month. From this, we are expected to provide infrastructure, service debt, pay salaries and pensions, build schools, and cover all essential services. We must be mindful of how many citizens’ shares we are wasting with our expenditures. Once we lose sight of the public trust we carry, society will suffer irreparably.”
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This is a commendable message from HE Governor Solude. I hope the Frderal Government will follow through with such an advice. If not the minimum wage but something much lower than what the governmental officials are paid.
The change for our financial and economic future must start with those in public offices.
I am happy that HE Peter Obi’s ways are being imbebibed by Governor Soludo. That is very commendable. Someone that can forfeit his salary must be a person of integrity and honesty.