The Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over recent comments on the state government’s handling of the minimum wage agreement with civil servants. In a statement, the APC accused the PDP of attempting to use the issue for political leverage, calling the party’s claims “disunited and disgruntled.”
In a statement released to journalists, APC Publicity Secretary Moses Kyari Bolde accused the PDP of neglecting civil servants’ welfare during the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo. The APC highlighted that under the previous PDP-led government, many retirees who had left as far back as 2012 only began receiving their gratuities after the APC took office.
The statement emphasized that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s APC-led administration has made significant strides in addressing workers’ welfare issues, including clearing unpaid gratuity backlogs, regular salary payments, and fulfilling agreements with labor unions.
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Bolde noted that, despite economic challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yahaya administration has also provided a monthly N10,000 palliative for civil servants and consistently supported promotions with financial benefits.
“Governor Yahaya has demonstrated a commitment to worker welfare by ensuring timely salary payments and implementing the new national minimum wage, all while navigating economic pressures,” the statement read.
The APC questioned the PDP’s sudden interest in civil servants’ welfare, asking, “What is the moral justification for the PDP to speak on behalf of Gombe State’s civil servants? Have they shown concern for workers’ welfare in the past?” The APC dismissed the PDP’s criticism as “cheap blackmail” and argued that it would not help the opposition regain relevance in Gombe.
Reaffirming its commitment to labor agreements and fair treatment for all state workers, the APC underscored its focus on addressing civil servants’ needs and fostering a strong relationship with labor unions.
