The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has expressed strong concerns over the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government’s “mismanagement” of the economy.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, the 13 governors of the main opposition party condemned the government’s economic policies, which they believe have led to widespread hardship among Nigerians.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, presented the communiqué after the four-hour meeting.
The governors declared their support for the Nigeria Labour Congress in its advocacy for a new minimum wage, emphasising the need for a more equitable and just economic framework that benefits all Nigerians.
The governors said workers’ unions’ demand for a salary increment is “eminently justified” in the face of worsening economic hardship in the country.
“While the Forum fully supports labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government,” the communiqué reads.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy.”
Over the past few months, labour unions, federal and state governments, and the private sector have been deliberating on a new minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) proposed N494,000 as the new minimum wage, citing inflation and the prevailing economic hardship in the country, while rejecting the federal government’s proposed N60,000 offer.
At t the last meeting of the tripartite committee, organised labour rejected the N62,000 proposed by the government and lowered its demand to N250,000.
Off-season elections
On the off-season elections, in Edo and Ondo states, the forum called on President Tinubu to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.
The governors admonished all the parties to the elections to ensure that campaigns are issues-based devoid of violence and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
