‘How Can You Pay Yourself The Same Salary As Other Governors And Not Want To Pay Minimum Wage’ – Labour Queries Gombe Governor

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa, for claiming his state can not pay the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

The labour union, in its reaction, said the state governors have no excuse not to pay the new minimum wage.

According to NLC, if the governors can pay themselves the same salaries, it is a must for every one of them to pay the new wage.

The National Treasurer of the NLC, Akeem Ambali, stated this in an interview with Saturday Punch.

Ambali said it is an act of wickedness for any governor to say he couldn’t pay the minimum wage.

He said, “Why would Gombe Governor be able to pay himself salary of the same amount with that of Lagos and Rivers, but couldn’t pay the ₦70,000 minimum wage? It is an act of wickedness and disrespect for workers who work day and night to develop the state.

“All of us know the prevailing hunger in the land, it is unfortunate that a governor who lives in opulence, receiving more than ₦500 million security vote, staying in free government accommodation and paying himself fantastic salary and will still receive gratuity is saying he couldn’t pay the state workers N70,000 minimum wage.

“Workers are not slaves. His statement doesn’t show responsive leadership. We will shut down any states that fail to pay minimum wage.

“Within May 29, 2023 and today, allocations to states have increased by over 120 per cent, they have also gotten infrastructure support which doesn’t show any commensurate development in their state.

“The penchant for wealth and lack of respect for what labour stands for is why governors are unwilling to pay the minimum wage.”

He called on Nigerians, especially those protesting against bad governance to challenge their various state governors how they are managing the increased allocation from the Federal Government.

Ambali said the minimum wage was expected to take effect from May.

He said, “The old minimum wage expired in April; labour expects that the effective date for the minimum wage should be around May 2024, but it is negotiable.”