The Organized Labour has accused certain governors of disrupting progress on a new minimum wage agreement. Last Tuesday, Organized Labour temporarily halted its nationwide strike for five days to engage in continuous discussions with the tripartite committee regarding the new national minimum wage.
During a meeting with government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, the Federal Government affirmed its commitment to a minimum wage exceeding N60,000. However, the 36 state governors, unified under the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), asserted that the proposed N60,000 minimum wage is unsustainable and unfeasible.
They argued that maintaining such a wage would lead many states to exhaust their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds solely on salary payments, leaving nothing for developmental projects. Benson Upah, Head of Department of Information at the NLC, voiced allegations of mischief against certain governors during an appearance on Arise TV on Monday.
He said, “The governors driving this mishchief—we know them, and you can count them on your five fingers. These governors do not mean well, and they are throwing spanners in the works. While the Federal Government has moved slightly to N62,000, they are saying they can even pay N60,000 that was initially proposed, which is an act of mischief, and the numbers are against them.
“It’s a fact that what they share as FAAC has moved from N700b to N1.2trn and is climbing, and the states are very rich now.”
Upah also warned that it’s easier to manage the rage of organised labour than that of Nigerians.
His words: “The issue is not about labour being difficult; we’re talking about something practical, testable, and reasonable. One thing I will say is that the rage of Labour will be easier to manage than the rage of Nigerians, even as we speak for and on behalf of these weak Nigerians.
“However, if they push Nigerians to the point that they have to live the life of a jungle, we’ll all become victims. A time shall come that is not too far away where you have to peep from your window three to four times before you step out of your own room.”
