Minimum wage: We’ll pay what we can afford — Tinubu

Promises to send Executive Bill to N’Assembly

Says fall at Eagle Square, is ’idobale’ for democracy

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday night said that he would approve what is affordable as the new minimum wage, alerting the National Assembly to expect his memorandum on the final settlement.

President Tinubu, who spoke during the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary Dinner, at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the amount to be forwarded to the National Assembly would be such that Nigerians can afford it.

Recall that at the end of negotiations on Minimum Wage last week Friday, the Federal Government team alongside the Organised Private Sector, OPS, had slightly increased the offer to N62,000 from the initial N60,000, while the organized labour also reduced its demand from N494,000 to N250,000.

However, the last offer of N62,000 made by the government and the private sector and the demand of N250,000 by the labour are now before the President to perhaps harmonise and make the final approval and thereafter, send a bill to the National Assembly for enactment of law.

Speaking on the matter, President Tinubu told the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio alongside his other colleagues at the dinner that the government would do what was expected, but would also pay what it can afford.

He said: “Senate President, Deputy Senate President, you’ll get a notice from me. If I’ve changed my mind on minimum wage, we’re going to do it, what Nigeria can afford, what you can afford, what I can afford. They ask you to cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all.”

President Tinubu also clarified the circumstances surrounding an incident earlier in the day at Eagle Square, where he tripped while making his way into the parade inspection vehicle.

He explained that as a traditional Yoruba ‘boy’ he was doing dobale (Yoruba word for prostrating to greet elders) at the Eagles Square, saying democracy was worth falling for.

According to him, “June 12 represents the heart and soul of our democratic struggle in the country.

“Early this morning (Wednesday), I had a swagger and it’s on the social media. They are confused about whether I was doing buga or doing babaringa but it is a day to celebrate democracy while doing ‘dobalee’ for today.

“I am additionally Yoruba boy, I did my dobale. Democracy is a day that is worthy of falling for,” he said.

The dinner was attended by five pro-democracy icons, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Shehu Sani, George Mbah and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, who all took to the stage to recall President Tinubu’s role in the struggle that eventually crystallized into what is being celebrated.

President of the senate, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola; and the SGF, Senator George Akume, were all present.

Also on ground were the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima.