An organization based in Benin, the Edo N’Okpa Movement, has issued a warning to the residents of Edo State not to be swayed by the recent increase in minimum wage, which they label as a political tactic. The state government announced a new minimum wage of N70,000 on April 29, a move that has come under scrutiny due to its timing ahead of the gubernatorial elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.
Emovon Osaretin, the national convener of the movement, criticized the wage hike as a calculated move by the current governor to influence the upcoming election. “The governor was prompted to declare the new wage after learning about the federal government’s plan to increase civil servants' salaries by 25% and 35%,” Osaretin explained. He further questioned the feasibility of the new wage, pointing out the government's current struggle to meet the existing N40,000 wage, with many workers reportedly unpaid for months.
The group also highlighted concerns over the handling of the Benin-Ugo-Abraka road project, which has seen little progress since 2016 despite frequent pre-election activities, such as the deployment of construction equipment that is often removed post-election.
In their statement, the Edo N’Okpa Movement advised the people of Edo, especially the youth, to remain vigilant and resist being exploited for electoral violence. They emphasized the importance of making informed decisions in the forthcoming governorship election without succumbing to short-term financial inducements
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