The Presidency has clarified President Muhammadu Buhari’s position amid confusion over the minimum wage.

State Governors had proposed to pay N22,500 while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insisted on N30,000 which was submitted by the Tripartite Committee.

Following this development, there had been speculations that the President had endorsed the proposed N30,000.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity expressed concern over the recurring reports alleging that the President has accepted the said amount.

“The Presidency is concerned over recurring reports alleging that President Buhari has reneged on earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended as the new National Minimum Wage by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee”.

He said these reports are contrary to what transpired on Tuesday when the committee presented its Report to the President.

Adesinasaid that in his response, President Buhari, while acknowledging the concerns raised by the government on affordability and Labour’s focus on the meaningful increase, stated clearly 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 noted: “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.

“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. But then, it is not surprising, as they 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.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

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