The Buhari Media Organization has dismissed claims by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar of a N33,000 minimum wage for his staff as yet another attempt to hoodwink Nigerians.
BMO said in a statement by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke that the claim came at a time that some of his former workers went public with revelations of unpaid wages and severance benefits as well as unfair labour practices
It also wondered how the number of staff said to be in his employment has increased from 50,000 to 100,000 within a few weeks
The group said: “We are indeed amused that Atiku who only recently retrenched some staff of his GOTEL TV in Adamawa state without properly paying them off is dropping hints in the media about a N33, 000 minimum wage for his staff.
One of his senior managers was even quoted as saying over 100,000 people are currently drawing salaries on a monthly basis from the former Vice President, so we are wondering who between him and the PDP presidential candidate is lying about the actual staff strength of the companies.
Not even Dangote Group which is the largest conglomerate in West Africa has the number of staff these people claim to be on Atiku’s payroll.”
BMO however noted that this is not the first time the candidate and his people have sought to bamboozle Nigerians.
“Only a few days ago, the PDP presidential candidate promised to reduce fuel price to N90 per litre if voted into power at a time it is common knowledge that the landing cost of a litre of refined petrol is about N158.
He must have been shocked in Dubai to see how Nigerians instantly rubbished his poorly thought out ‘campaign promise’.
“While it is not in our place to advice them but we urge the Atiku campaign team and the PDP to make only realistic promises as even in propaganda, you have to be truthful to the people you seek their votes,”it said.
The group also advised Nigerians to be wary of empty promises by a candidate whose actions are always at variance with his pledges.
“Here is a man who has vowed to get Nigeria working but has spent the last few weeks with his associates boosting the local economy of Dubai under the guise of strategizing for the presidential campaigns.
“We believe that the huge resources they have wasted there would have taken many Nigerians out of poverty.
“On the contrary, President Muhammadu Buhari is not only committed to ensuring a new national minimum wage but is also keen on ensuring that more Nigerians benefit from his social welfare programmes across the country”