Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State recently announced the introduction of a minimum wage of ₦73,000 for civil servants in the state. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the political stakes surrounding the move.
On the one hand, the governor, who is running for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections, is defending the new wage policy as a way of ensuring that workers in the state can enjoy the fruits of democracy and live in better conditions. He says the move is in line with his campaign promises to improve the welfare of civil servants.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed reservations about the announcement, calling the minimum wage offer a “poisoned chalice”. In a statement, the PDP accused Aiyedatiwa of politicising the welfare of workers in the state in a bid to gain undue political advantage in the upcoming elections. The party insisted that the minimum wage promise, made in the midst of an election, should not mislead civil servants.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, on his part, responded by saying that his aim is to make the people of the state “lucky” under his watch. He said his minimum wage promise is not a political move but a serious decision for the welfare of workers. He stressed that the move is meant to reward the dedication of civil servants and ensure fair and equitable treatment.
The announcement of the new minimum wage thus raises important questions about wage policy, government-civil servant relations, and the politics of the move. It is crucial to consider different perspectives to better understand the implications of the move on the lives of workers in Ondo State.