Frontline politician in Imo State , Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, has criticized the Nigeria Governor’s Forum’s recommendation of a N57,000 minimum wage, calling it “grossly unrealistic” and accusing the forum of accepting it under duress.
Ajumbe, a former Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Public Utilities in Imo State, and ex-Chairman, management committee of the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), made his views known in a recent interview with newsmen at Owerri.
Ajumbe questioned how states like Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, and even Imo would be able to pay the proposed minimum wage, predicting it would lead to conflicts between civil servants and governors, reduction in workforce, hyperinflation, and forced relocation to rural areas.
“The N57,000 minimum wage proposed by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum is unrealistic. I think they gave the approval under duress,”
“The present N30,000 minimum wage, how many states in the Federation are paying it? The payment is not visible nor possible.” Ajumbe said.
The former IMO State commissioner for IGR and Pension also slammed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for demanding over N100,000, calling it “totally unfair” and accusing the leadership of having “misplaced priorities”. He asked if they are paying their gate men and drivers over one hundred thousand Naira as minimum wage.
The former Chairman, of defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in Imo State for eight years, Ajumbe stated, “NLC asking for above N100,000 is totally unfair to Nigeria as a nation, nobody can pay that.
“It will definitely lead to hyperinflation, as ordinary people like Keke drivers etc cannot afford to buy a cup of garri.or pay for house rents as landLords shall increase their house rents” he noted.
He criticized the NLC for not speaking out against financial misappropriation and corruption, instead focusing on “selfish agendas”.
A former member of the Presidential Think Tank Committee under President Muhammadu Buhari, stated that the NLC should be more proactive in fighting for the rights of Nigerians.
“When the former Minister of Humanitarian Services was accused of whooping financial misappropriation, what did NLC do?
“When NNPC was accused of financial recklessness and gross embezzlement, did NLC say anything? Emphatically, No!” Ajumbe exclaimed.
He urged the NLC to be the “conscience of the nation” and fight for the interests of all Nigerians, not just civil servants.
Ajumbe, who also served as Chairman of the Imo State Pension Rectification Committee, believes that the NLC should be more inclusive in its advocacy.
Ajumbe expressed support for the Tinubu administration, urging Nigerians to be patient and trust the government to deliver positive changes.
The former Chairman of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri Land Recovery Committee and former member of the ALVAN IKOKU Federal Colleger of Education (now a University) governing council 193 to 1995 and 2921 to 2023) said that he has faith in the government’s ability to address the nation’s challenges.
He recalled the struggles of the Igbo people during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war and how they have advanced despite economic blockages.
Ajumbe urgea the NLC to learn from the past and fight for a better future for all Nigerians.
He pleaded with Nigerians to have patience and trust in the government, saying “nothing good comes easy”.
He concluded by saying that the NLC should focus on fighting for the rights of all Nigerians, not just civil servants, and that the minimum wage should not only be for the federal and state governments but also for the private sector.
