‘Financial recklessness’ — PDP tackles FG over N1bn request for minimum wage panel

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the federal government over the N1 billion requested for the tripartite committee set up to determine a new minimum wage.

In a leaked memo seen by TheCable, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), wrote to President Bola Tinubu requesting the sum of N1 billion for the committee’s activities.

Akume informed the president that a new minimum wage would be ready by April.

Although a presidency source said the sum approved by the president was N500 million, Segun Imohiosen, head of information, office of the SGF, failed to respond to calls and messages from TheCable on the matter.

Reacting to the leaked memo, Debo Ologunagba, spokesperson of the PDP, said it is unpardonable for N1bn to be requested for the national minimum wage committee when citizens are suffering hardship.

“The PDP describes the said approval of the huge amount for a routine government activity like committee inauguration as the height of profligacy, imprudence and financial recklessness which further validates PDP’s position that the Tinubu-led government is a cesspit of corruption where officials engage in brazen and reckless treasury-looting,” Ologunagba said in a statement on Friday.

“This further shows that the APC administration is insensitive and has no regard for the plight of Nigerians, whom President Tinubu, during his 2024 budget presentation at the National Assembly described as ‘ordinary people out there’.

“Nigerians can now also see how our national treasury and funds meant for their wellbeing are being looted with reckless abandon by officials of the Tinubu-led APC administration.

“This is apparently a tip of the iceberg of how looters in the APC administration are cashing out with public funds under the cover of the Presidency as witnessed in the reported plundering of over N44 billion in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“The PDP calls out the Tinubu Presidency to speak out, come clean and address the nation on this very weighty allegation especially at this time when Nigerians are undergoing excruciating economic hardship.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the 37-member committee in January.