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The NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has denied reports attributing to him a call for Nigerian soldiers to reject salary increases until after the next general elections.

Mr Obi, in a statement posted on Tuesday, described the report as false and said his position had been misrepresented.

“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.

His clarification comes days after President Bola Tinubu approved a new salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the adjustment scheduled to take effect from 1 September.

According to reports, the approved increase will range from 30 per cent to 80 per cent, with personnel in the lower ranks receiving the highest increase. The measure is expected to raise the annual military wage bill from about N660 billion to N924 billion.

The latest increase follows an earlier review of military pay. In July, Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the minimum monthly salary for soldiers had risen from N49,000 to N100,000, although he acknowledged that funding remained inadequate for the military’s needs.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence also confirmed that President Tinubu had approved a military salary increase and the payment of three months’ arrears to personnel.

Against this background, Mr Obi said his position should not be interpreted as opposition to better remuneration for soldiers.

“My profound respect for our security forces, particularly the Nigerian Army personnel who diligently serve and protect our nation under challenging conditions, is unwavering,” he said.

He said he had consistently advocated better provision of equipment, motivation and protection for security personnel.

“My concern was palpable when soldiers were lost to insurgents due to a delayed rescue effort, prompting me to question how those defending us could be left vulnerable in their time of need,” he said.

Nigeria’s armed forces continue to confront multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-east, banditry and kidnapping in parts of the North and other forms of violent insecurity.

Mr Obi said that if elected president, the welfare and safety of military personnel would be a priority of his administration.

“Should I be elected President, the well-being, resources, safety, and honour of our soldiers will be a paramount priority,” he said.

“Those who ensure Nigeria’s security must never be relegated to a secondary concern. Our soldiers are deserving of our utmost respect, unwavering support, and a government that will unequivocally stand by them.”

He also pledged to improve the conditions under which troops operate.

“Under my leadership, scenarios where our servicemen and women are left unprotected in the face of peril will be eradicated,” he said.

Mr Obi urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as the misleading report and said he remained committed to presenting his plans for Nigeria’s security and development.

“I remain committed to articulating a clear and consistent vision for a secure and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

“The realisation of a new and secure Nigeria is indeed POssible.”

Mr Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, in which he finished third according to the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

His latest statement comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections and amid renewed public debate over the welfare, remuneration and operational capacity of Nigeria’s security forces.