Enugu, Nigeria – Charismatic Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has strongly criticized the proposed N62,000 national minimum wage, urging that it should also apply to senators, governors, and House of Representatives members. His comments highlight the significant disparities between the allowances of lawmakers and the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.

The Federal Government, after extensive negotiations with the tripartite committee, has offered to pay workers N62,000, a figure far below the initial demand of N494,000 by organized labour, which was later reduced to N250,000.

Addressing newsmen, Rev. Father Mbaka condemned the high allowances enjoyed by lawmakers and questioned the fairness of the current system.

“If we decide to give labour N60,000 or N62,000, why not generalize it to the House of Assembly members, senatorial members, House of Representatives members, and governors?” he asked. “They are all civil servants, so are the others slaves? I can’t understand why they are amassing billions as sitting allowance, wardrobe allowance, newspaper allowance, and suffering allowance.”

Mbaka emphasized that the allowances for lawmakers are disproportionately high compared to the wages of essential workers like teachers, nurses, and doctors. He highlighted the stark contrast between the luxurious benefits enjoyed by politicians and the economic struggles faced by those providing critical services.

“The people that should have such allowances are those suffering in the village. How much are our teachers, nurses, and doctors being paid? Let’s be realistic, our civil servants that wake early and return late daily, how much are they being paid?” he asked.

Rev. Father Mbaka urged the government to address the issue with caution to prevent potential crises, stressing the importance of fair treatment for all workers in light of the country’s high inflation and economic challenges.

“I’m pleading with the government that a stitch in time saves nine; this situation must be handled with care because it might be hijacked and nobody knows the ripple effect,” he warned.

Mbaka’s call for equity in wage distribution reflects growing concerns over economic disparities in Nigeria and the need for fair compensation across all sectors. His statements resonate with many Nigerians struggling under economic hardship, calling for a more balanced and just approach to wage policies.