In what could be described as a u-turn, the Nigeria's presidency on Thursday, 8th November 2018 said President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to endorse any figure as the new national minimum wage contrary to the speculations making the round.
It said the reports that Buhari reneged on earlier acceptance of the
N30,000 recommended by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee
were therefore not correct.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi
Adesina, made the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
He said what Buhari committed himself to was a new minimum wage only
after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and
legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented
to him for assent.
The presidential spokesman said through the period the committee
submitted its report to Buhari, “the President never mentioned any
figure. What he committed himself to was a new minimum wage, and only
after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and
legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented
to him for assent.
“Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of
law-making, President Buhari, who is a stickler for due process, will
not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy, which amounts to
putting the cart before the horse and hair-splitting.
“As for those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play
cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not
won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every
drop of a hat.
“But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to
Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff
judgment awaits them at the polls.”
While saying the Presidency is concerned over what he described as
the recurring reports, Adesina insisted that the reports are contrary to
what transpired on when the committee presented its report to the
President.
He said while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on
affordability and Labour’s focus on meaningful increase, Buhari stated
clearly in his speech, that, “In a way, both arguments are valid. I want
to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary
machinery that will close out these open areas.
“Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time.
“I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.
“As the Executive arm commences its review of your submission, we
will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in
this report.
“I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”
It would, however, be recalled that on Monday, 6th November 2018 - 24hours before the day stipulated by the organized labour for commencement of an industrial action over the minimum wage disagreement - on receipt of the comprehensive report from the tripartite committee, President Buhari reportedly agreed on the figure and promised to send the bill in that regard to the National Assembly (NASS) with immediate effect for onward deliberation.
