Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has fiercely criticized the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over its proposal to increase the salaries of political leaders by more than 100 percent.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Obi described the move as “provocative, scandalous, and insensitive”, warning that it has already sparked widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians, who are questioning both its necessity and timing.

Obi argued that the proposal reflects the greed and detachment of political leaders from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

“Such thinking, in the face of faster-eroding living standards of the people, not only portrays the insensitivity of leaders but also exposes their greed”, he wrote.

He further lambasted the RMAFC’s decision as a reckless prioritization of politicians’ welfare over the desperate needs of the masses.

“It’s a shameless grab for more at the expense of Nigeria’s struggling majority”, he added.

The former governor of Anambra State stressed that the proposed salary hike is completely unjustifiable given the harsh economic conditions gripping the country.

He reminded leaders that political office is meant to be a service to the nation, not a means of accumulating wealth.

“We believe that political office is a service to the nation, and not a means to accumulate wealth”, Obi insisted.

Obi also highlighted the neglect of critical public workers, including security personnel and civil servants, whose sacrifices keep the country functioning.

He particularly decried the plight of police officers, who remain “grossly underpaid and overworked” while politicians continue to enjoy excessive privileges.

“The RMAFC’s focus on the welfare of political office holders over public workers is deeply disturbing”, he said.

While calling on the RMAFC to withdraw the proposal, Obi urged the government to redirect its attention toward improving the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, especially public servants and security personnel, who he said have been “neglected for far too long.”

He concluded by emphasizing the need for policies that prioritize the welfare of the majority over the comfort of a privileged few.

Nigeria is set to welcome a new kind of reality TV show, Big Brain Naija (#BB9JA), which the organisers describe as a platform designed to discover, celebrate, and showcase the country’s brightest minds.

Diaspora Digital Media gathered that the show, powered by Big Brain Productions in collaboration with DAAR Communications Plc, will officially debut in October.

According to the organisers, it will air on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and will be staged in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the official signing of the partnership agreement in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer of Big Brain Productions, Mr. Kel Ameobi, explained that the initiative seeks to balance entertainment with innovation.

He stressed that the show would focus on creativity, ideas, and problem-solving rather than the usual theatrics and controversies that dominate popular reality shows in Nigeria.

“Big Brain Naija was created with a simple but powerful vision: to build a platform where intelligence meets entertainment,” Ameobi said.

He added that Nigerian youths have often been denied opportunities to showcase their ingenuity on the big stage, while entertainment spaces tend to reward superficial content.

He continued: “For too long, we’ve seen platforms celebrate emptiness and drama, while the brightest among us have no avenue to shine.

Big Brain Naija is not a show of noise but a stage for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We want to celebrate ideas, not controversies.”

Joining him, Chief Executive Officer of DAAR Communications Plc, Mr. Marcel Anyalechi, praised the project as a refreshing departure from the norm.

He noted that DAAR Communications would fully support the show across all its media platforms.

“This project blends innovation and creativity, and we believe it will bring real impact to the entertainment industry.

We are excited to partner with Big Brain Productions to showcase Nigerian talent not just to Africa but to the world,” Anyalechi said.

Adding to the details, Chief Operating Officer of Big Brain Naija, Mr. Ossai Ilome, explained that the first season will feature 37 contestants representing all 36 states and the FCT.

To make the competition even more unique, the show will introduce AI-powered judges, making it the first reality TV show in Africa to integrate artificial intelligence at such a scale.

Ilome revealed that the winner of the maiden season will walk away with a grand prize of N30 million and a brand-new car.

He emphasized that beyond entertainment, the project aims to reinforce Nigeria’s global image as a nation of intelligent and industrious people.

“The time has come to showcase Nigerians as visionary and exceptional people. While the show will retain the entertaining aspect of reality TV, its heart lies in celebrating intellect, ideas, and innovation,” Ilome said.

The organisers expressed optimism that Big Brain Naija would not only captivate audiences but also inspire young Nigerians to dream bigger and push creative boundaries.

With its unique blend of entertainment, innovation, and national representation, the show aims to become a defining moment for the Nigerian entertainment industry when it premieres in October.

Relatives of the 13 wedding guests killed in Plateau State have condemned the State High Court’s decision to release 20 suspects on bail.

The victims were brutally murdered on June 12, 2025, when a mob attacked their bus in Mangun district, Mangu Local Government Area.

They were traveling from Kaduna State to attend a wedding in Qua’an Pan LGA before tragedy struck.

According to reports, the group lost their way and entered a volatile community already shaken by recent terrorist activity.

Local youths allegedly mistook them for bandits and launched a deadly assault, leaving 13 people dead on the spot.

Following the killings, security operatives arrested 21 suspects.

In an earlier court sitting, 20 of them were remanded at the Jos Correctional Center while investigations continued.

However, on Wednesday, August 20, Justice Nafisa Lawal Musa granted bail after a motion filed by defence counsel, Garba Pwul (SAN).

This ruling has triggered outrage among the families of the victims, who insist the development is a slap in the face of justice.

Mallam Abdullahi Tahir Balami, a relative of one of the deceased, condemned the court’s action.

Speaking to reporters, he described the ruling as suspicious and raised concerns about possible foul play.

“With this development, we are now questioning the commitment of the Plateau State government to justice,” Balami said.

“It is saddening that suspects in a multiple homicide case can be released on bail.”

Another relative, Mallam Ubale Anguwar Dantsoho, who lost several family members, also expressed anger.

He described the decision as shocking and warned that justice may never be served.

“How can suspects in a murder case be granted bail?” he asked. “It shows that our system is failing us.”

Maryam Usman, widow of the driver killed in the massacre, expressed her heartbreak.

She said she struggled to understand why suspects linked to such a crime would be freed.

“What kind of court is this?” she asked in despair. “Instead of justice, the court dashed our hopes. We no longer believe justice will come.”

Her words echoed the feelings of many families now convinced that the judiciary has abandoned them.

Human rights activists are also calling for urgent intervention from both the state and federal governments to ensure accountability.

The Plateau killings have become one of the most disturbing tragedies in recent months.

The case now highlights the growing tension between grieving families and a judicial system accused of ignoring victims.

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lashed out at the proposal to increase salaries for political officeholders.

He described the move as both insensitive and scandalous, saying it prioritises leaders’ greed over the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) announced on Tuesday that it was considering a review of salaries for the president, vice president, governors, and other top officials.

The plan immediately triggered nationwide outrage, with citizens questioning the morality of such a decision during one of Nigeria’s harshest economic periods.

Obi, in a strongly worded statement titled “Prioritising Leaders’ Greed Over Basic Welfare” shared on his X account, condemned the timing and intent of the proposal.

“The recent proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political leaders is causing widespread anger and bitterness among Nigerians,” Obi wrote. “It not only portrays the insensitivity of leaders but also exposes their greed.”

The former Anambra governor argued that the RMAFC’s push was nothing more than a reckless attempt to satisfy the selfish desires of politicians while neglecting the real needs of citizens.

He said the proposed hike, which he claimed amounted to more than a 100 percent increase, was unjustifiable.

According to Obi, public office is supposed to be about sacrifice and service to the nation, not a means of enrichment. “It is totally unjustifiable considering the economic realities facing our country,” he said.

“Political office should not be a means to accumulate wealth but an opportunity to serve.”

Obi further criticised the commission for ignoring the plight of public servants, especially security personnel who face dangerous conditions daily but remain poorly paid.

He pointed out that police officers, soldiers, and other frontline workers are overworked, underpaid, and often lack basic welfare support.

“It is very disturbing that the RMAFC is prioritising the welfare of political office holders over that of security personnel, particularly police officers who are grossly underpaid and overworked,” Obi added.

He stressed that Nigeria’s real heroes are the teachers, health workers, and security forces who continue to hold the country together despite overwhelming challenges.

Yet, he said, they remain neglected while politicians enjoy luxury.

The Labour Party candidate urged the federal government to immediately scrap the proposed review and instead focus on improving the lives of citizens and critical workers.

He called on authorities to address the worsening hunger crisis, rising unemployment, and inflation rather than rewarding politicians who already earn far more than the average Nigerian.

“We call on the RMAFC to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, particularly those in the public service, who have been neglected for far too long,” Obi declared.

The debate over politicians’ pay rise has sparked widespread anger across Nigeria.

Opposition parties like the PDP, NNPP, and ADC have also condemned the move, calling it insensitive and reckless. Citizens have taken to social media to express disgust, with many describing the plan as a slap in the face to struggling households battling high food prices and joblessness.

For Obi, the issue symbolises the deep disconnect between Nigeria’s ruling elite and the suffering majority.

He insisted that any government genuinely committed to progress must place the needs of the people above the greed of politicians.

Tech billionaire and political influencer Elon Musk will face a lawsuit accusing him of deceiving voters with a fake $1 million lottery during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign.

The U.S. District Judge Robert Pitma, on Tuesday August 19, in Austin ruled that the claims were strong enough to move forward.

The case was filed by Jacqueline McAferty, an Arizona voter, who says Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, lured people into providing personal data under false pretenses.

According to Reuters, McAferty alleged that Musk and his PAC promised voters in seven battleground states a chance to win $1 million if they signed his petition.

The so-called lottery required participants to submit their names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.

McAferty said that while Musk advertised the $1 million payments as randomly awarded prizes, voters never had a real chance of winning.

Instead, the scheme allegedly acted as a massive data-harvesting operation to collect voter information in key states.

The lawsuit was first filed on Election Day, November 5, 2024, after the controversial giveaway drew widespread attention.

Musk, who founded America PAC to support Donald Trump’s successful 2024 presidential run, denied the accusations.

His lawyers argued that the giveaway was not a lottery because winners were described as being “selected to earn” the money rather than to win it.

They claimed that chosen participants were expected to become America PAC spokespeople, which, in their view, made the payout compensation rather than a prize.

But Judge Pitman was not convinced. He noted that Musk and his PAC also used language suggesting winners were being “awarded” money and could “win” the $1 million.

“It is plausible that plaintiff justifiably relied on those statements to believe that defendants were objectively offering her the chance to enter a random lottery even if that is not what they subjectively intended to do,” Pitman wrote.

Another key dispute in the case is whether voters suffered any harm by handing over their personal information.

Musk’s lawyers argued that providing contact details caused no measurable damage.

However, Judge Pitman disagreed. He ruled that an expert in political data brokerage could testify about the market value of such voter data in battleground states.

In U.S. politics, voter lists are often worth millions of dollars to campaigns, making the alleged deception potentially serious.

Interestingly, a day before the lawsuit was filed, a judge in Philadelphia refused to stop Musk’s $1 million giveaway.

The city’s district attorney had argued it was an illegal lottery, but the court said the claim was unproven at the time.

The Texas case, however, has now cleared its first major hurdle and will proceed to trial unless settled.

Neither Musk nor America PAC has issued an official response since Judge Pitman’s ruling. Requests for comment were not immediately answered.

Musk, a Texas resident, has strong ties to the state. His electric car company, Tesla, is headquartered in Austin, where the lawsuit is being heard.

If successful, the case could open the door to a class action lawsuit involving thousands of voters across multiple states who signed Musk’s petition.

The case is titled: McAferty v. Musk et al, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, No. 24-01346.

The lawsuit highlights the growing intersection between tech, politics, and voter data exploitation. It also raises ethical questions about how billionaires like Musk use their platforms to influence elections.

For voters, the case may determine whether political giveaways that harvest data without delivering on promises can be challenged in court.

As the trial moves forward, it could have major implications for campaign financing, digital privacy, and election integrity in the U.S.