Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 increase in minimum wage is not entitled to peace – Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has emphasized that any government at the federal, state, or local level that refuses to implement the Federal Government’s N35,000 grant should not expect peace.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu, in response to the removal of subsidy, sanctioned a six-month provision of N35,000 as a temporary wage relief for all federally paid workers. This decision came after extensive discussions with a Federal Government delegation that engaged with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) last year.

Oshiomhole, speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, advocated for the implementation of the provisional wage award not only by all tiers of government but also by the private sector.

“The Federal Government approved N35,000 increase on top of current wage levels. But I’m yet to understand why any Nigerian state government or governor is not implementing that agreement,” the former Labour leader and ex-governor of Edo, said.

“I don’t agree that the money was for only federal employees. Federal employees don’t have different markets from state employees and the struggle that was mobilised, workers in Nigeria were mobilised both public and private sectors in what we called a general strike before that money was awarded.

“By extension, therefore, all state governments, local governments, federal government and private sector employers should implement it. I don’t think NLC business is to lament it.

“They should fight for the implementation of their rights. Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 is not entitled to peace. That’s my view.”