The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued an ultimatum to the Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, urging him to resign if he cannot comply with the newly established national minimum wage of N70,000.
This directive follows Governor Yahaya's public declaration that his administration is financially incapable of meeting the new wage requirements.
Governor Yahaya, who also chairs the Northern Governors’ Forum, made these remarks during a meeting with labour leaders, civil society organisations, and traders associations at the Government House in Gombe.
In response, Benson Upah, the Head of Public Relations for the NLC, stated, "He should quit if he cannot pay. He took an oath of office to uphold the law and not to break it."
The backdrop to this confrontation includes President Bola Tinubu's recent signing of the Minimum Wage Act into law on July 23, 2024, which officially set the minimum wage at N70,000.
This decision was the culmination of nearly two weeks of intense negotiations between the President and organised labour unions, who initially demanded a minimum wage of over N250,000 per month.
The Federal Government has assured compliance with the new wage, emphasizing that the extensive negotiations from early February to July included all relevant stakeholders.
Despite this, the NLC remains vigilant, warning against any further inflammatory statements from state governors that could provoke industrial unrest. The NLC's spokesperson, Benson Upah, highlighted the potential for increased pressure for industrial action if the issue continues to be prolonged.
The NLC has consistently rejected suggestions by some governors to determine their own wage structures, labeling such proposals as "dictatorial" and contrary to the concept of a national minimum wage.
The NLC argues that a fair minimum wage is essential for economic justice and social stability, urging governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices and instead adopt policies driven by equity and fairness.
The NLC's firm stance signifies the importance of maintaining a national wage floor to ensure a minimum standard of living for all workers. They argue that allowing governors to unilaterally determine wages would undermine this principle and threaten the welfare of Nigerian workers and the national economy.
The NLC also points out the inconsistency in the governors' arguments, noting that political officeholders across the nation receive uniform salaries determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission without similar objections.
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