Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Honourable Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former House of Representatives member, sidestepped questions regarding the new ₦70,000 minimum wage implemented by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS, Agbonayinma, who represented the media-shy APC governorship candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, evaded directly criticizing Obaseki’s pioneering wage initiative.
Governor Obaseki, known for his worker-friendly policies, became the first governor in Nigeria to raise the minimum wage to ₦70,000, a bold step aimed at improving the welfare of civil servants in Edo State. The governor’s decision has been widely applauded by labor unions and public sector workers who see it as a major boost in their fight for better pay.
When pressed to comment on the new wage policy, Agbonayinma struggled to condemn the initiative, perhaps acknowledging the pressure it places on the APC’s candidate ahead of the upcoming election. In a surprising turn, Agbonayinma admitted that even former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a senior figure in the APC, had only been able to implement a ₦30,000 minimum wage during his tenure.
Agbonayinma’s reluctance to openly criticize Obaseki’s policy highlights the growing tension within the APC, as the party grapples with how to respond to the governor’s popular move. Governor Obaseki’s new wage initiative is seen as a strategic win for his administration and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as they aim to maintain control of Edo State in the September 21 governorship election.