Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the NDC in 2027, has dismissed claims that he urged Nigerian military personnel to decline a recent salary hike authorized by President Bola Tinubu. Obi addressed the misinformation on his verified X account, labeling the reports as entirely false and urging both the public and military members to ignore them.
The controversy stems from a government policy announced by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. President Tinubu approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 percent for approximately 250,000 armed forces personnel, effective September 1, 2026. This move is set to increase the annual military salary budget from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Obi, who previously served as governor of Anambra state, reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of security forces. He noted that he has always campaigned for better equipment and improved working conditions for those in the military. Referencing past incidents where soldiers were killed by insurgents, Obi promised that if he were elected, the safety and protection of troops would be a top priority, ensuring they are never abandoned in high-risk zones.
