By Comrade Allen Sowore Esq.
On Saturday, October 12th, 2024, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the implementation of a ₦73,000 minimum wage for Ondo State government workers—the highest announced by any Governor in Nigeria to date.
Since the announcement, members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their online media hirelings have been noticeably disheartened and woebegone. It’s evident they are unhappy, as the governor has once again added another achievement to his record.
One of the PDP’s discouraged members, in clear discomfort, referred to this commendable initiative as “a flimsy attempt to curry favour with the electorate.”
It reflects the story of the returning home of the troop after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. As they danced, they sang:
‘Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.’
Saul was furious and resented this song. ‘They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,’ he said, ‘but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?’ From that day forward, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
(1 Samuel 18: 6-9)
Whatever the PDP says against the implementation of the ₦73,000 minimum wage stems from jealousy.
First, it’s essential to understand that the minimum wage is a law—an Act of the National Assembly—that all governors in Nigeria are required to implement. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s decision to add an additional ₦3,000 to this wage is a commendable gesture.
Regarding when payment will commence, yesterday -13th October, 2024, with Yomi Oyekan, I asked the Governor and he said to me: “It’s important to note that anything worth doing is worth doing without delay. Government had previously established a tripartite committee to work out the consequential adjustments from Level 1 to Level 17, and this process has been ongoing for some time. Let the bureaucracy expedite action on it. I have done my own part.”
But the opposition pretends as though this is a sudden occurrence.
The PDP has clearly run out of ideas. Recently, they’ve resorted to misinformation, blackmail, and propaganda. Since assuming office, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has consistently prioritized the welfare of state workers. In Ondo State, salaries are paid promptly, and pensioners are not left behind.
A false narrative is being pushed by the opposition—that everything the governor does is tied to the upcoming election. Whether it’s road construction, bridges, housing, employment, or other commendable projects, they claim it’s all politically motivated. After the election, will the governor reverse these programmes or undo the roads and other developments? The answer is obvious.
The PDP’s frustration and bitterness are similar to the Yoruba adage:
Opekete ‘N Dagba, Inu Omo Adamo ‘N Baje. Adi Baba Tá Inu N’ Bíwon.
The palm frond fetcher gets annoyed as the young palm tree grows taller.
Comrade Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor of Ondo State on Strategic Communication
October 14th, 2024
