The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has warned workers in the state that the government’s announcement of a ₦73,000 minimum wage is another greek gift from the state Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Speaking on Monday, the PDP said the Governor approved the minimum wage as a greek gift to the workers in order to get their votes in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa announced the new minimum wage during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off held in the Ondo West Local Government Area on Saturday.
However, the PDP, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity of its Campaign Organisation, Ayo Fadaka, questioned why the Governor announced the wage during a political programme.
The PDP urged the people of Ondo to avoid getting deceived by the announcement, labelling it as a Greek gift.
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!”
However, the Governor has countered the submission of the PDP.
Reacting to the statement of the opposition party, Aiyedatiwa cautioned the PDP against any attempt to use the welfare of workers to score cheap political points.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on New Media, Sunday Abire, said workers in the state deserve the new minimum wage, and the PDP should heal itself.
“Aiyedatiwa will never say a thing he does not mean. He didn’t announce ₦73,000 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,” the statement read.
