By: Lola Seriki-Idahosa, Kaduna Tracereporters –Against ongoing negotiation and renegotiation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government over minimum wage and electricity tariff, a former 1998 presidential Aspirant of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), Pastor Josiah Obiechina has advised President Bola Tinubu not to approve outrageous amount that will triple inflation in the country.
Pastor Obiechina in a statement on Thursday noted that if huge amount is approved as minimum wage, it will create what he called run-away inflation, adding that the country will suffer economic melt-down that may be unbearable by the masses.
The statement said, “Minimum wage if approved by the federal government will create run-away inflation in Nigeria. The volume of cash that will be chasing few goods like essential commodities will be 70-30 percent which shall result to run-away inflation and possible economic melt-down”.
In a related development, the former Presidential Aspirant also advised President Tinubu to ensure massive housing units that will be beneficial to the masses who have the voting power during elections across the country.
“Housing policy of the federal government should reflect positively on the citizenry especially the adult suffrage who are the spring board to power”. The statement added.
However, Pastor Obiechina appealed to President Tinubu to give postmortem national award to late MD Yusuf, Barr. Tunji Braithweth as well as himself who were pioneer members of the GDM.
“Noteworthy it is, to recognise national heroes by the federal government of Nigeria, those living and at postmortem level as a point of motivation to others.
“I pray therefore that, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko (M.D Yusuf), Barr. Tunji Braithweth and Pastor Josiah Obiechina be recognised and rewarded with national honours”. The statement said.
Pastor Obiechina recalled how late Braithweth, a human rights activist and late MD Yusuf, a retired Inspector General of Police fought without violence to ensure democratic transformation from late General Sani Abacha and other military administrations to,”birth the 1999 electoral year which saw the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in power”.
