As the brouhaha between the federal government and labour continues over the request for increase in minimum wage of Nigerian workers, Northern Coalition for Democracy and Good Governance (NOCODGOG) has replied the Nigerian Labour Congress over the recent attack on the personality of the secretary of federal government, George Akume.
It could be recalled that Akume had declared that he cannot afford to pay each of his four drivers N100,000 as salary in a month.
But in reaction, the Nigerian Labour Congress via Press Statement issued said, it was “Disheartening” that the SGF, a High Ranking Government official would make a statement to trivialise the genuine grievances of Nigerian workers, when he said, he can’t afford to pay his four drivers N100,000 each as salary.
According to the group in the statement signed by Comrade Abdullahi Baffa Ringim and Comrade Andrew Bartholomew Rufus , the NLC’s reaction was undoubtedly grossly insensitive and inconsiderate to the personality of someone, who was a former Governor; former Senator and the current SGF.
The statement further reads, “We know Akume as a Patriot and a sensitive Nigerian, who considers the reality on ground rather than playing to the gallery.
“He was just being honest by making such statement over lingering matter of minimum wage for workers.
“The statement Akume made was because he didn’t steal public funds while in positions of Authority held over the years. It is only corrupt leaders and thieves that afford to pay such unrealistic demands by Labour unions.
“We also deemed unacceptable for NLC to express disappointment over Akume’s comments, where the SGF described the “legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action” as a “Treasonable felony” and “Economic sabotage”.
It asked, “What is “Deeply Troubling” that has undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues with the realistic statement made by the SGF”
“We make bold to say, Akume is not among those who loot our treasury around the country, those who diverted public resources meant for hospitals and schools, padded budgets and inflated contracts including those who steal trillions of naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony.
While stating that the SGF is not one those NLC described people paying personal staff “Starvation Wages”, the group said consideration must be given to background of leaders to reach conclusion.
