A socio-political group, the Ondo Arise Initiative, has criticized Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s recent announcement to begin paying the N73,000 minimum wage in November, just days after the upcoming governorship election, calling it a “height of insensitivity.”
In a statement issued in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the group questioned the timing of the announcement, suggesting that the governor’s decision to wait until election season for this commitment is out of touch with the struggles of the state’s workers.
The minimum wage has already been implemented in several other states across Nigeria.
Signed by Ade Awoniyi, the statement described the decision as a “slap in the face” to Ondo state residents. Awoniyi argued that as an oil-producing state, Ondo should have led the way in implementing the new minimum wage, including back payments to reflect when the national bill was signed into law.
The group further noted that since the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, the state has received approximately N10 billion monthly from federal allocations. According to them, however, these funds have yet to translate into meaningful benefits for residents since Aiyedatiwa assumed office following the passing of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu last December.
“Ondo state workers should be wary of this ‘Greek gift’ from the governor,” the statement warned. “While he can afford to pay his newly appointed 344 aides generously, he hesitates to implement the N73,000 minimum wage.”
The group questioned why the governor did not commence the payment earlier or backdate it to when the national policy was signed into law, concluding that the people of Ondo state deserve far better treatment.
