“Unrealistic wages will lead to recession and chaos”, Nigerians urged to reject union demands

Nigerians have been urged to reject unions’ “unrealistic wage demands” and support what government and private sector employers see as realistic and sustainable wages.

The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Concerned Nigeria Patroits (CNP), saying that when a government is sabotaged, it is the masses who suffer the consequences.

While the government and the organized private sector had proposed 62,000 naira as the minimum wage, the unions insisted on 250,000 naira.

Speaking at a press conference against the unions’ demands, the group led by its president, lawyer Alfa Mohammed, said: “recent demands for an unrealistic minimum wage by the coalition of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Labor Party (LP) pose a significant risk of plunging Nigeria into another recession, thereby exacerbating the economic challenges that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu s strive to overcome with diligence.”

According to Mohammed, their insistence on a minimum wage initially set at ₦605,000, then ₦494,000, and now ₦250,000, is part of a broader strategy to force the government to adopt an economically unfeasible policy.

The patriotic group accused unions and the opposition Labor Party of forming a coalition to provoke public unrest and destabilize the government of President Bola Tinubu.

“This coalition’s program appears to be a deliberate attempt to provoke public unrest and destabilize the government. By advocating a wage increase that is not financially sustainable, they risk inciting chaos and anarchy, which could undermine our hard-won democracy. Their plan includes completely shutting down critical infrastructure under the guise of fighting for a living wage, which could cripple the country’s economy and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable citizens.

“It is important to note that this coalition, which supported Mr. Peter Obi during the last presidential election, now poses an intrinsic threat to democracy or economic recovery. However, their apparent desperation to disrupt the current administration after their candidate lost to President Tinubu is worrying. This group, often called the Obidients, has repeatedly mobilized protests, attempting to make the country ungovernable at every opportunity.

While calling on all Nigerians, especially diligent workers, to see through the veil of wrongdoing, the group said such increase in wages would likely lead to high inflation, increased unemployment, decreased productivity and greater economic difficulties.

“When a government is sabotaged, it is the masses who suffer the consequences. It is the responsibility of every citizen to support and pray for the success of our government, not to undermine it.

We call on our fellow Nigerians to reject unrealistic wage demands and support what government and private sector employers consider to be realistic and sustainable wages.

“Oppose disruptive strikes, insist on dialogue and reject strikes aimed at destabilizing the government.

To President Tinubu and the ruling class, we recommend the immediate introduction of policies to reduce inflation, particularly in the food, transportation, medical, agriculture and energy sectors .

“Providing credit programs for PMS-CNG conversion and rental purchase of CNG vehicles.

“Funding mechanized agricultural projects in all states, with a commodity council to manage production surpluses.

“Scaling up the use of technology to address security challenges.”

“Adoption of an austere recurrent expenditure budget reflecting the current economic situation.

“Exclusive use of locally assembled or manufactured vehicles for government officials. »