The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to consider state and local government’s ability to pay minimum wage in their negotiation.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the forum’s meeting at the Government House, Enugu on Wednesday, and read by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who doubles as chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.
The PDP governors attended the meeting alongside members of the national working committee and other organs except Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
Reading the communique, Mohammed noted that the minimum wage negotiation was becoming unduly protracted in the face of unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of the people.
While reiterating the forum’s full support for labour demand, the chairman said any agreement must consider the ability to pay by the federal, state and the third tier of government.
“The labour demand which is substantially salary raise is eminently justified and therefore calls for proper support of the forum.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraining of utterance and actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order and ultimately lead to the collapse of the economy,” he said.
On the economy, Mohammed expressed great concern about the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led government, urging them to take proactive measures to save Nigeria from collapsing.
Mohammed added that the forum would continue to support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as ruled by the Supreme Court.
According to him, PDP governors believe in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided in the constitution.
During the off-season election in Edo and Ondo states, the governor admonished all the parties to ensure that their campaigns were issue-based violence-free and complied with the procedures of the Electoral Act.
Mohammed called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the enabling environment that guarantees level playground, fairness and peaceful elections, maintaining that any act of bias would be resisted by the party.
“We, therefore, urge Mr President to show leadership as a true democratic and refrain from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire election process,” he advised.
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