Ignore empty promises from Malami, Kebbi NLC urges members

The Kebbi State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday strongly urged members not to give attention to empty promises made by the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Independence Day, over the payment of N110,000 monthly wages to teachers if he becomes the Governor of the state come 2027 governorship election.

The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Usman, while addressing a press conference in Birnin-Kebbi, expressed that the former AGF, who is the flag bearer of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship, gaffed when he said that the challenge being faced by the NLC in the state is lack of a befitting secretariat, when he knew there is an NLC secretariat in Kebbi State.

Comrade Usman also faulted Malami’s promise of N110,000 monthly payment to teachers, arguing that Malami, after he left office, established private primary and secondary schools. “How many of his teachers is he paying such amount in a month?” he asked.

“Malami is now a private man, operating private companies, in Kebbi State, how many of his staff are enjoying the N70,000 minimum wage as salary per month? His radio station called Rayan Radio has packed off because he couldn’t pay staff monthly salaries.”

Comrade Usman, flanked by his Deputy, Comrade Kilani Abdulwaheed, and other officials of the party at the press conference, called on the state workers not to allow the ADC governorship flag bearer in the state cajole them through empty promises into what he cannot do for workers.

The Union boss in the state drew attention of the state workers to the fact that Governor Nasiru Idris was among the first governors in the country who offered to pay above the N70,000 minimum wage by paying N75,000 to state workers.

ALSO READ: State Police: We’re fully engaged with constitutional responsibilities – Zamfara Speaker

On transportation, the NLC boss stated that Governor Idris bought 50 buses to ease transportation across the 21 LGAs in the state, as the buses are now conveying people from one point to another across the state, adding that the Governor also provided buses for all the tertiary institutions in the state for easy transportation for students and staff of such institutions.

Comrade Usman also pointed out that the state Governor, being a unionist and a union leader, abolished the casual workers syndrome in the state civil and public services by giving directives that such category of workers should be given permanent appointment, which was done immediately.

He also reminded workers across the state that Governor Nasiru Idris has also elongated the working years of teachers, medical workers and veterinary workers from 60 to 65 years of retirement age, and 35 to 40 service years.

The union leaders therefore enjoined the people of Kebbi State to think deeply and not allow people in the opposition to remote-control them, pointing out that the present administration in Kebbi State is doing what previous administrations have not done.