The People’s Democratic Party campaign organization in Ondo State has criticized Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s recent announcement of a N73,000 minimum wage for workers, calling it a “Greek gift” designed to manipulate voters ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election.
Premium Politics had reported that Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the implementation of the new minimum wage during the flag-off of the Ondo central senatorial district leg of the All Progressives Congress campaign in Ondo City on Saturday.
He emphasized his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people, stating, “Even though the Federal Government approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage, the state would go a step further by paying N73,000 to its workers.”
However, the PDP described this move as a “hollow pretense” and a “brazen display of desperation,” aimed at securing votes rather than genuinely addressing the state’s challenges.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the PDP campaign organization, Fadaka, emphasized that the timing of the wage increase is particularly unacceptable, coming after months of inertia and disregard for workers’ struggles.
Fadaka noted, “A leader who genuinely cares about the welfare of his people would have long since addressed the root causes of Ondo State’s challenges, poverty, unemployment, and the decay of essential services.”
He further criticized Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration, stating that it has been defined by neglect, indifference, and a lack of empathy for the common man.
Instead of championing sustainable development and meaningful progress, the governor has opted to use the wage increase as a political carrot to manipulate the electorate.
Fadaka argued, “His administration has been defined by neglect, indifference, and a stark lack of empathy for the plight of the common man, rather than champion sustainable development and meaningful progress, he has opted to dangle this meager wage increase as a political carrot, a last-ditch effort to manipulate and hoodwink the electorate in pursuit of his selfish political survival.”
The PDP also highlighted the state’s pressing issues, including a healthcare system in disarray, crumbling educational institutions, and collapsing infrastructure.
Fadaka stated, “While Aiyedatiwa attempts to use this meager raise as political bait, the grim truth remains unchanged. The state’s healthcare system is in disarray, educational institutions are crumbling, and infrastructure is in a state of collapse.”
Fadaka concluded that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s actions demonstrate his prioritization of personal gain over the welfare of the people, and that the people of Ondo State deserve better leadership.
He stated, “It is disrespectful to announce the new minimum wage of dignified and decorous Ondo State Workers on the podium of the electioneering campaign, thereby politicizing the welfare and well-being of the State Civil Service to gain undue political mileage in the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for November 16.”
He further emphasized, “The people of Ondo State deserve a leader who prioritizes their welfare over personal gain, one who enacts policies driven by genuine concern, not political expediency. Governor Aiyedatiwa has proven himself to be anything but that.”