Unmasking Obaseki’s N70,000 Minimum Wage Bait: A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Pre-Election Ploy?

• Civic group accuses Obaseki of vote-wooing tactics

• Condemns new minimum wage as electoral manipulation

• Questions timing and feasibility of wage increase

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Edo N’Okpa Movement, a civic organization based in Benin City, has strongly criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent announcement of a new N70,000 minimum wage for state workers.

The group labeled it as a strategic ploy to attract votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 21 governorship election.

Editor’s Pick

• Admiring President Bola Tinubu’s Exemplary Leadership
• Cyriel Dessers Celebrates Milestone Goal, Wants More
• Oparanozie Urges NFF To Extend Care To Female Players

The national convener of the Edo N’Okpa Movement, Emovon Osaretin, questioned the timing and sincerity of the new wage proposal.

“The new minimum wage announcement is one of such ‘caterpillars and bulldozers’ tactics, which should not be celebrated by the state workers and the people of the state,” Osaretin stated.

Furthermore, Osaretin highlighted the inconsistency in the state’s financial commitments, pointing out that the Obaseki administration has struggled to effectively meet the current N40,000 minimum wage, with many workers reportedly owed up to six months in arrears.

Moreover, the group suggested that the wage increase could be a strategic burden placed on the next administration, questioning the feasibility of its implementation given the state’s fiscal challenges.

“Maybe he is setting booby traps for the next governor since he knows very well that his anointed governorship candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, cannot win the election in Edo State,” Osaretin remarked.

In addition to the wage issue, the Edo N’Okpa Movement drew attention to ongoing infrastructure projects that have been delayed or inconsistently managed, such as the Benin-Ugo-Abraka Road project initiated in 2016 but still incomplete.

Further Reading:

• Ighodalo Denies Role In Shaibu’s Impeachment, Calls Allegation Spurious
• Bella Shmurda Opens Up On The Side Effects Of Smoking Weed
• Oyo LG Election: APC Raises Alarm, Threatens To Withdraw Candidates Over BVAS Controversy

Finally, the group advised Edo workers and the youth to remain vigilant and discerning of political motives, particularly with the election approaching.

They urged them not to sell their votes and to resist being manipulated into participating in electoral violence.

Click here to watch video of the week