Liberian President slashes own salary by 40%

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has challenged political leaders in the country to learn from the recent happenings in Kenya and demonstrate true leadership by listening to the citizens.

Meanwhile, Liberian President, Joseph Boakai, has announced a voluntary 40 per cent reduction in his salary.

Protesters recently stormed the Parliament of Kenya as gunshots rang out over a new bill to increase taxes. Over 30 persons reportedly died during the protest.

This forced Kenya’s President William Ruto to, under 24 hours, roll back the controversial tax reforms that he had championed in the face of public opposition.

Obi wrote on his X-handle, yesterday: “We, the Nigerian political leaders, should take a strong lesson from the recent Kenyan experience. When the Kenyan public realised that the government was not making sufficient sacrifices and prioritising resources effectively, they spoke out, demanded change, expressed their dissatisfaction and protested.  

“In response, the President demonstrated true leadership by listening to the people’s demands and acting accordingly, recognising that government should be driven by the needs of the citizens, not by our own consumption agenda.”

According to the former Anambra State governor, Ruto’s acknowledgment of the people’s demands exemplifies responsive governance. 

“In contrast, we, the Nigerian leaders, often arrogantly do the opposite to genuine grievances of our suffering citizens. Instead of addressing legitimate concerns, and being accountable to the people, we resort to using public funds to pay media thugs to insult and abuse those who speak truth to power.”

“We, the Nigerian leaders, must abandon these detrimental habits, stop the feasting, and start making sacrifices for the greater good of our suffering masses,” he stated.

True change and progress, Obi added, will require leaders who are sincere, willing to listen, act responsibly, and prioritise the welfare of the people over personal or political interests. 

“If we make the necessary changes and make the needed sacrifices, a new Nigeria is possible!”
A STATEMENT shared on the website of the Liberian government on Saturday noted that the salary slash aligned with Boakai’s commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security.

This came days after some lawmakers arrived at the parliament in tricycles in protest against the non-payment of funds for their vehicles by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

Boakai said the announcement reflected his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the citizens.

The statement reads, “In fulfilment of his commitment to fiscal integrity and national financial security, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, has announced a voluntary 40 per cent reduction in his salary.

“According to the President, the announcement reflects his determination to lead by example in strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the people of the nation.”

Boakai, who succeeded George Weah, is in Nigeria for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).