The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, raised concerns over the N70,000 new minimum wage approved by Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying it was a Greek gift.
A Greek gift is something given or a favour done with a treacherous intention.
The allegation was made in a statement issued in Abuja by his media office.
On Sunday, Obaseki announced an upward review of the state’s minimum wage for workers from N40, 000 to N70, 000.
He made the announcement at the inauguration of the newly built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex for labour unions in the state, along Temboga Road, Ikpoba-Hill, Benin
But Okpebholo insisted that he was convinced it was a political strategy to tilt the upcoming September governorship election in the favour of his People’s Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
He said, “Civil servants deserve a better deal from the state government and not a Greek gift to blackmail them to vote for a party that has failed the people of Edo State. There are no good schools, hospitals, roads, or housing for civil servants. These are the real issues.
“Obaseki has failed by every standard and I am sure Edo people, especially the civil servants, know this. As governor, my administration will behave differently. Beyond the minimum wage, we will look at other priority areas for civil servants like quality healthcare, housing, and proper transportation.
“I call on Edo people not to be disturbed. Help is on the way. Our administration will right the many wrongs of the PDP administration and ensure that Edo State is governed with a human face. We deserve more and my administration will provide that,” he stated.
The APC governorship candidate also challenged Obaseki to explain the whereabouts of the N5bn allocation approved by the Federal Government as palliatives to cushion the hardship of civil servants in the state.
He said, “Governor Obaseki owes Edo civil servants arrears of six months. Like other states, Edo got N5 billion from the Federal Government to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. In FCT, civil servants were paid an additional N35, 000 for six months.
“Other states did the same thing and distributed palliatives to them. In Edo State, Governor Obaseki has been mute. No civil servant got any extra money like their counterparts in other states. Let us begin the conversation from there.
“Obaseki should explain to Edo civil servants and Edo people what he did with the N5 billion. Nobody in Edo State has gotten any palliatives or cash transfers from the Edo State Government. What has Obaseki spent the money on?
“We know that the state government is keeping billions of naira to buy votes and prosecute the governorship election, where he intends to impose his political stooge on Edo people. Unfortunately for him, the people are wiser, especially civil servants in the state.”
