The Edo State Government’s recent announcement of a ₦70,000 minimum wage has sparked controversy, with critics claiming it was a hastily devised ploy tied to the upcoming gubernatorial election on September 21, 2024.
The Edo N’Okpa Movement, a Benin-based organization, condemned the wage increase as a form of vote-buying ahead of the election.
Emovon Osaretin, the national convener of the movement, released a statement asserting that the timing of the announcement was suspicious. According to Osaretin, Governor Obaseki’s administration hastily unveiled the ₦70,000 minimum wage upon learning of the federal government’s plans to increase civil servants’ salaries by 25% to 35%.
The Edo N’Okpa Movement questioned the feasibility of this wage raise, especially given the administration’s struggles in effectively implementing the previous ₦40,000 minimum wage. Many workers, the statement noted, were still owed up to six months in back pay.
Critics argue that the timing and motivation behind the wage announcement raise serious doubts about its sincerity and feasibility. They view it as a strategic move by the governor to garner support and curry favor with voters ahead of the crucial upcoming election.
“Maybe he is setting booby traps for the next governor since he knows very well that his anointed governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Asue Ighodalo, cannot win the election in Edo state.”
The group also highlighted to Governor Obaseki the long-standing issue of the Benin-Ugo-Abraka road, stretching from Sakponba road to Abraka, which has been under construction since 2016.
“It is public knowledge that the governor usually deploys caterpillars and bulldozers to this Benin-Ugo-Abraka road and many more across the state every time there is election, yet not up to 10% of the work has been completed since 2016.
“The governor has again brought another set of equipment to the same road, and they will be retrieved after the election,” the group claimed.
In urging Edo workers not to trade their votes before the election, the Edo N’Okpa Movement also urged youths to exercise caution, cautioning that politicians might seek to exploit them to engage in violence during the polling period.
