The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, has urged the organised Labour and the Federal Government to consider State and Local Government’s ability to pay minimum wage in their negotiation.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State made the call in a communique issued at the end of the forum’s meeting at the Government House, Enugu on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that all the PDP Governors attended the meeting, its National Working committees and other organs with the exception of Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.
Reading the communique, Mohammed noted that the minimum wage negotiation was becoming unduly protracted in the face of attending unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of the people.
While reiterating the forum’s full support to labour demand, the Chairman said agreement must be taken to consider the ability to pay by the sub national, Federal Government and the third tier of government.
“The labour demand which is substantially salary raise is eminently justified and therefore called for proper support of the forum.
“While negotiation are ongoing, we appeal for restraining of utterance and actions that could lead to complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately lead to the collapse of the economy,” he said.
On the economy, Mohammed expressed dismay and great concern on the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led government, urging them to take proactive measures to save Nigeria from collapsing.
Mohammed added that the forum would continue to support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as ruled by the Supreme Court.
According to him, PDP Governors believe in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided in the constitution.
On the off-season election in Edo and Ondo States, the governor admonished all the parties to ensure that their campaigns were issue based, violence free and compliance to the procedures of the Electoral Act.
Mohammed called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide enabling environment that guaranteed level play ground, fairness and peaceful elections, maintaining that any act of bias would be totally resisted by the party.
“We therefore, urge Mr President to show leadership as a true democratic and refrain from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire election process,” he advised. (NAN)