The Presidency had reminded the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar that the 2019 election will not be won on the basis of constant attack on President Muhammadu Buhari.
“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.”
In a statement today, Thursday, reacting to reports in some media that President Buhari has reneged on earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended as the new National Minimum Wage for Nigeria workers by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that the Presidency is not surprised as Atiku and his party 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.”
Femi Adesina said that when the committee presented its report on Tuesday, President Buhari, acknowledged the concerns raised by government on affordability and labour’s focus on meaningful increase and said, in a speech, which was made available to the media: “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.”
Adesina said that from the above, and throughout the report-submission ceremony, 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.
