TheCable

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, says Nigerians who voted for President Bola Tinubu knew that they were not electing a magician.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the former governor said the All Progressive Congress (APC) did not promise a “magical solution” to the problems facing the country.

“They know they were not electing a magician and nobody promised a magical solution,” he said.

“I know what we (APC) promised more than you who was reporting it. You don’t need to give me an example. Whatever you reported, we were the source.

“We did not promise a 24-hour solution. We did not promise miracles. We did not promise an overnight solution.

“Show me any document that says in 48 hours, this should be done. In 14 days or 21 days, this should be done.”

‘CRIMINAL MINIMUM WAGE’ 

Oshiomhole also said the current minimum wage is criminal, given the high cost of living in Nigeria.

Since Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy regime, there has been a hike in the pump price of the product across the country — a scenario that has led to food inflation and increase in transport fares. 

To cushion these economic effects, the Workers’ Alliance for Inclusive Socio-economic Reforms (WAISER) had called on the federal government to set a new minimum wage of N200,000 monthly. 

Oshiomhole said considering the exchange rate, the minimum wage is insufficient for most households. 

“In my view, what we call minimum wage is a criminal wage,” he said.

“If you exchange N30,000 at N800 or N700 to the dollar, what does that translate to?

“So, the value of that minimum wage when it was N125 – when it was first introduced under, I think, (Shehu) Shagari’s government – is about two or three times the value many years later, even in the public service.

“I can tell you that I have decided to pay for my cleaner. My cleaner is just a primary school…I’m not sure she even has a school leaving certificate. But she’s knowledgeable enough to clean the house.

“I found myself unable to pay her less than N60,000 – in fact, N60,000. It’s about my conscience. I’m trying to imagine what she has to pay for a house.

“If I have chosen to employ a cleaner and chosen not to clean the house by myself, that is the least I thought I could pay her.” 

Meanwhile, Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, approved the increase of the minimum wage of workers in the state to N40,000 to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.