Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, describing the current situation in the country as a “voodoo economy”.
Mr Makinde made the remarks on Friday while addressing civil servants at the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan, shortly after returning from his annual leave.
The governor said the N18,000 minimum wage in place during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan had greater purchasing power than the current minimum wage.
“It’s been a very challenging period, economically. Yes, FAAC has gone up. But when I came in as governor, the first salary bill I signed was N4.5 billion,” he said.
“Today, the salary bill is N18 billion. The minimum wage as of the time I came was N18,000. Today, it is N80,000. But the N18,000 of that time can even buy more than what the current N70,000 can do today.
“That is the kind of voodoo economy that they have handed over to Nigeria.
“So, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, we have to sit down. Our people are challenged. That is the reality. The resources are limited.”
Mr Makinde said the increase in workers’ wages had not adequately addressed the economic hardship arising from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He said the state government would extend its wage award to workers for another three months as part of measures to cushion the impact of the economic hardship.
According to him, transport subsidies for workers would also continue.
The governor also criticised President Tinubu over the failure to formally transfer presidential powers to Vice President Kashim Shettima while the president was out of the country.
Mr Makinde drew a comparison with his own recent vacation, saying he handed over the administration of Oyo State to his deputy before proceeding on leave.
“I went on vacation, but I handed over to my deputy governor. I am running to be the president of Nigeria because I have the capacity,” he said.
“They’re trampling on the constitution of Nigeria. If the president is out of the country, why is he scared of handing over power to the vice-president?
“I went away for one month, but my team was able to carry the responsibility of running the state. So, tell him [Tinubu] to follow the constitution of Nigeria.
“He swore at the Eagle Square to abide by the constitution. If the president is not around, hand over the government to the vice-president. That is the constitution.”
