Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has urged governors nationwide to reduce their salaries in a show of solidarity with the common worker. This appeal follows the collective rejection by state governors of the federal government’s proposed ₦60,000 new monthly minimum wage.....Read The Full Story Here ▶
Halima Ahmed, the Acting Director of Media Affairs and Public Relations for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), announced the rejection, citing that implementing such a wage would financially strain many states, forcing them to allocate their entire monthly funds from the Federation Account solely to salaries.
Speaking from Ibadan, Oyo State, Ajadi criticized the governors’ stance as “insensitive” and “wicked,” highlighting the stark contrast between their salaries and the proposed wage for workers. He noted that labor unions had not yet accepted the government’s proposal, suggesting the governors’ rejection was premature.
Ajadi commended Edo State Governor Dr. Godwin Obaseki for independently implementing a ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage in his state and suggested other governors should follow suit, including reducing their own salaries.
In his statement, Ajadi expressed his shock at the governors’ refusal to pay the proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage, calling it a “wicked pronouncement” and emphasizing their insensitivity to workers’ and the masses’ plight.
“They were too hasty in their reactions, as the Labour Unions have not even agreed to the proposal. If the governors are serving the people as they usually claim, they should cut their own salaries to ₦60,000 too. I will also suggest that the governors should be paid according to their qualifications. They should realize that the workers attend the same market their wives and children attend,” Ajadi stated.
He pointed out that, following the removal of subsidy, the federal government has increased monthly allocations to states, questioning what governors are doing with these funds and urging that part of this money be used to pay the new minimum wage when agreed upon by the tripartite committee.
Ajadi added, “President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly urged governors to use the increased monthly allocations to improve their citizens’ lives. It is shocking that governors have the audacity to reject a mere ₦60,000 proposal. What can ₦60,000 buy in the current economy? It can’t feed a worker for two weeks, let alone their dependents. When an agreement on the new minimum wage is reached, I urge the governors to be sincere and ensure prompt payment in their states.”