The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s recently announced minimum wage increase, asserting that it serves as a mere disguise for his administration’s failures.
In a statement released on Sunday, the PDP characterized the wage increment as a political tactic aimed at winning votes ahead of the gubernatorial elections scheduled for November 16, 2024.
According to Ayo Fadaka, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for the PDP campaign organization, the N73,000 minimum wage, which exceeds the Federal Government’s approved N70,000, is an insincere attempt to sway civil servants and the people of Ondo State. Fadaka contended that this move is designed to distract voters from the governor’s track record of neglect and ineffective governance.
“This announcement is a brazen display of desperation,” Fadaka stated. “It comes after months of inaction and a complete disregard for the pressing issues facing the people of Ondo State, including rising poverty, unemployment, and the decay of essential services.”
Fadaka cautioned civil servants not to be misled by what he termed a “meager increase” in their wages. He urged the people to remain vigilant and not be swayed by Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to portray himself as a benevolent leader. “This so-called wage increase is nothing more than a political carrot, aimed at manipulating the electorate for his selfish political survival,” he asserted.
The criticism was further fueled by the timing of the wage announcement, which took place during the kickoff of the Ondo Central senatorial district campaign. Fadaka described this as an attempt to politicize the welfare of civil servants for electoral gain. “It is disrespectful to announce a wage increase at a campaign event, using the workers’ well-being as a tool for political maneuvering,” he remarked.
The PDP emphasized that a true leader would have already implemented comprehensive strategies to uplift living standards rather than resorting to empty promises. “Aiyedatiwa’s administration has failed to address the root causes of Ondo State’s challenges,” Fadaka stated. “Instead of tackling systemic issues, he has chosen to insult the intelligence of the electorate with this last-minute, ill-conceived wage increase.”
As civil servants and the public await the upcoming gubernatorial election, the PDP’s message is clear: the people of Ondo State deserve leadership that prioritizes their welfare and addresses the systemic issues affecting their lives, rather than being subjected to political gimmicks designed to salvage a faltering administration.
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