The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has faulted the newly approved minimum wage for civil servants by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Aiyedatiwa had on Saturday during his governorship campaign flag-off held in Ondo city, announced the new salary wage of N73,000 for government workers in the state.
The amount was a top-up of the N70,000 minimum wage agreed for workers between the federal government and organised labour in September.
In a statement issued on Monday, the PDP described the increment of the new minimum wage approved by Aiyedatiwa as a “Greek gift.”
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The statement signed by Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Organisation, asked civil servants in the state to avoid being hoodwinked by Aiyedatiwa in voting him during the November governorship election.
The statement read, “It is disrespectful to announce the new minimum wage of dignified and decorous Ondo State workers on the podium of the electioneering, thereby politicising the welfare and well-being of the state civil service to gain undue political mileage in the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for November 16.
“The teeming civil servants in Ondo State see this latest promise about a new minimum wage increment as another Greek gift to hoodwink unsuspecting members of Ondo State civil service into voting him.
“The timing is ill-conceived, and
nobody is going to take him seriously because he has deceived the civil service once, and they won’t allow him to deceive them one more time – Once bitten, twice shy!”
Reacting, Aiyedatiwa lampooned the opposition party, saying the increment in the workers’ salary was not to score cheap political points.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on New Media, Sunday Abire, said the people of the state had decided to be “lucky” under Aiyedatiwa-led administration with the announcement of the new minimum wage.
“Aiyedatiwa will never say a thing he does not mean. He didn’t announce N73,000 as minimum wage to score political points. To think that PDP doesn’t know that there are apolitical procedures to implementing the minimum wage is a big shame.
“The workers of Ondo State have made up their minds to support the party as well as the governor that treats them well with regular payment of salaries and other benefits. The people have noted the PDP’s anger the moment Governor Aiyedatiwa announced a robust minimum wage that is not yet obtainable in any state in Nigeria. May Ondo State workers who the PDP wishes to suffocate continue to be lucky under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa beyond 2025.
“Ondo state workers are asking the PDP to heal itself already as they have started calculating their pay. It’s a year of increase for the workers of Ondo State. No controversy. Prosperity is here to stay with Governor Aiyedatiwa in the saddle.”
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