Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
The former minority whip in the House of Representatives, Dr. Samson Osagie on Tuesday called on Edolites not to be deceived by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s minimum wage of N70,000, saying that it is his latest attempt to cajole them into voting for his godson, Asue Ighodalo.
The veteran legislator said Obaseki’s intentions were “crystal clear,” adding, “Deceive the people, secure their votes, and what happens next to them is inconsequential. This has been his pattern, and he is not ready to change it.
“Will Edo people allow this deceit to yield favorable outcomes for the Emperor Governor? How many civil servants are in the Edo State Service? Do they deserve increased pay? Yes, but isn’t this a Greek gift given to secure their votes? Of course, it is!
“We need to wake up and tell him, for once, enough is enough!
“The announcement of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for State Civil Servants is his latest attempt to deceive them into voting for his chosen successor, who will ultimately turn him into a godfather, despite his vow that it would be his albatross. Surely, he cannot escape his self-induced curse.
“Why did he not introduce this minimum wage since his reelection in 2020? Why wait until the election to announce this package? As an investment banker, which he always prides himself on, what does he expect to happen to the prices of goods and services? Or is it just enough to deceive people into voting for him and his candidate, caring less about the economy later on?
“One thing you cannot overlook about Governor Obaseki is his boundless capacity for deception, desperation, and manipulation of the people of Edo.
“Quite frankly, he has always managed to succeed, but will he prevail in installing his friend and business associate as his successor in the September 21, 2024, election? I doubt it! Time will tell.
“On Monday, April 29, 2024, he announced a new minimum wage, set to take effect from May 1, 2024, just six months before the end of his eight years of deceitful reign.
“Ironically, he is predictable. Appointing Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Advisers, and all such measures to dupe the people into supporting his political agenda has been his routine strategy. And here he goes again.”