‘I Never Asked Soldiers to Reject Salary Increase’ – Peter Ob

The 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described as false the report that he asked Nigerian soldiers to reject the salary increase approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Obi said this in a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, calling on Nigerians and the Armed Forces to disregard the report.

“I wish to address a recent report that falsely attributes a statement to me, suggesting that Nigerian soldiers should refuse any salary increments until after the elections. This assertion is entirely untrue,” he said.

It was recalled that President Tinubu had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the armed forces, effective September 1, 2026.

The pay package, which is expected to benefit about 250,000 personnel, will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660bn to N924bn, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In response, the former Anambra state governor said his respect for members of the security forces remained unwavering, adding that he had consistently advocated adequate equipment, motivation and protection for security personnel.

He equally recalled an incident in which soldiers were killed by insurgents, saying it prompted him to question the protection provided to troops, stressing that the welfare and safety of security personnel would be a priority if he were elected president.

The presidential candidate also pledged that troops would not be left unprotected in dangerous situations under his leadership.