Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to increase the minimum wage for workers in Nigeria. In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku expressed support for the organised labour's demand for a substantial increase in the minimum wage. He accused the Tinubu administration of presiding over a harsh economic environment where workers' wages have been eroded.
Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration's policies, stating that they have led to a significant increase in the cost of living, with prices of essential goods and services skyrocketing. He specifically mentioned the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he claimed has had a devastating impact on working families. According to Atiku, the government's actions have resulted in workers being paid more on paper but having less to live on.
The former Vice President described the situation as a "callous way to govern people who work hard and ask only for the means to live." He highlighted the struggles of workers, stating that the current minimum wage of N70,000 per month is insufficient to cover basic needs, including fuel, transport, food, and rent. Atiku argued that the government's policies have placed an unfair burden on the most vulnerable members of society.
Atiku questioned the impact of the current minimum wage on workers, noting that at N1,400 per litre of petrol, the entire N70,000 monthly wage can only buy 50 litres of petrol. He asked, "What does the worker take home to feed the children? What pays the rent? What gets that worker back to work on Monday?" This, he claimed, is a stark illustration of the cruel arithmetic of the current cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria.
The statement, issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, emphasised that the Tinubu administration's self-congratulatory talk of reform has become an insult to Nigerians. Atiku argued that the government's actions have demonstrated a lack of concern for the welfare of workers and the poor. He urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the plight of workers.
Atiku's call for an increased minimum wage is part of a broader critique of the Tinubu administration's economic policies. He argued that the government's approach has led to a ruthless economic squeeze, which has disproportionately affected workers and the poor. The former Vice President's statement is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising costs.
The issue of the minimum wage is a pressing concern in Nigeria, where many workers struggle to survive on their current wages. Atiku's intervention is likely to add to the growing pressure on the government to take action. The government will be expected to respond to Atiku's call and consider the demands of organised labour for a substantial increase in the minimum wage.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar urges President Tinubu to increase workers' minimum wage.
- The former Vice President criticises the Tinubu administration's economic policies.
- Atiku argues that the current minimum wage is insufficient to cover basic needs.
