The recently impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has opened up on why he refused to return the vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government in his possession.
The ousted Deputy Governor recently discussed his impeachment, the political landscape of the state, the influence of godfathers, and the controversial matter of campaign vehicles allocated during his tenure.
Shaibu acknowledged having the vehicles but introduced a fresh perspective on why he might not relinquish them, characterizing those requesting their return as lacking compassion.
He said, “The vehicles they are referring to are the two Prado SUVs, one Hilux, and the Land Cruiser. I took all those vehicles… So, you can see how heartless men can be.”
Read Also: Edo Assembly Leader Exposes Why Shaibu Was Impeached
Meanwhile, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has provided reasons why he increased the minimum wage from ₦40,000 to ₦70,000 in Edo State even though the Federal Government was yet to announce the new benchmark.
Obaseki made this known when he spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that prior to the announcement of the N70,000, Obaseki paid ₦40,000 paid as against the ₦30,000 national minimum wage.
The governor said with the depreciating value of the country’s currency – the naira – and the rising cost of living, it made sense to introduce a new minimum wage for state workers.
“Let us understand this new minimum wage calculation. In 2011, when the minimum wage was N18,000, the exchange rate was N160/$ and so effectively workers in Edo State were taking home about $120 as minimum wage.
“When we increased the minimum wage to N40,000 in 2022, the exchange rate at that time was N450/$ so effectively, workers were getting about $96.”
“Today, 2024, with the N70,000 minimum wage at the current exchange rate of N1,257/$, what they are taking home is $55 which is less than 50 per cent of what they were earning about a year ago.
“For us in Edo State, we believe that the issue is about productivity; paying people well so that they can produce more and not pretending that you are paying them some salary when you know that that salary cannot motivate them to produce the goods and services that you require.”
Obaseki said his government had to introduce the new minimum wage for workers in Edo State to reflect the current economic realities of the country.