Gombe State Governor Muhammad Yahaya’s declaration that the state cannot pay the new N70,000 minimum wage has sparked a threat of a showdown from the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC.
President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on Monday, making payment mandatory. However, Governor Yahaya, also Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, stated that many states, including Gombe, cannot afford the new wage.
NLC Secretary in Gombe State, Ibrahim Fika, responded, “The governor’s declaration is a recipe for renewed struggle by organised labour. We expect governors to pay more than N70,000, not less. We will do our best to ensure Gombe enjoys the new minimum wage.”
The NLC threatens to take action, awaiting guidance from their national headquarters. The minimum wage law was passed after legislative scrutiny and presidential assent, making it mandatory for states to comply.
This development sets the stage for a potential confrontation between the NLC and Gombe State government over the implementation of the new minimum wage.
