Former Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has voiced his disapproval of the Federal Government’s newly approved N70,000 minimum wage, stating it is insufficient for basic sustenance.
Ndume, recently removed from his position, pointed out that the new wage is barely enough to purchase a 50kg bag of rice, which currently averages over N70,000.
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He urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider and increase the minimum wage further to reflect the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
Despite being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ndume has been outspoken about the shortcomings of Tinubu’s administration.
His critical stance led to his dismissal as Senate Chief Whip, a decision influenced by a letter from APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and national secretary Basiru Ajibola.
The letter referenced an interview in which Ndume criticized the government and suggested his removal.
In a video shared by Channels Television, Ndume highlighted the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, stating that the approved minimum wage cannot sustain a household.
“People are suffering, people are angry, people are not happy,” he said. “I am happy that the President agreed with NLC to increase the salary to N70,000, which is a good move, but it takes more than that because, realistically, that is like a bag of rice, money that will buy a bag of rice or cover the cost of a bag of rice. So, I call on the president to still open up and listen to the people.”
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President Tinubu, along with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), agreed on the new minimum wage during a meeting at the State House on Wednesday.
Despite this agreement, Ndume’s comments underscore a broader dissatisfaction with the wage increase among some members of the ruling party and the general public.
