N70k minimum wage can only buy a sack of rice —Ndume

Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has faulted the newly agreed minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers, saying the amount can only buy a bag of rice in the current economy.

Ndume who landed in trouble after criticizing President Bola Tinubu leading to his removal as Senate Chief Whip, made the remarks while interacting with journalists in Abuja, insisting that despite being sacked by his colleagues, he would not stop pointing out the weaknesses of the administration in the interest of the people.

“People are suffering, people are angry, people are unhappy. I am happy that the president agreed with the NLC to increase the salary to N70,000, which is a good step, but it needs to be more than that because, realistically, it is like a bag of rice, money that will buy a bag of rice or cover the cost of a bag of rice.

“Therefore, I ask the president to remain open and listen to the people,” Ndume said.

READ ALSO:NLC gives reasons for accepting Tinubu’s N70K minimum wage offer

The Borno lawmaker also described his action of criticizing the government as a patriotic act, and advised President Tinubu to listen to the call of the Nigerian people and urgently address the issues in the region.

“I emphasize, it is unpatriotic to support the president in anything he does. Patriotic is to tell the truth not only to the president, but to anyone.

“It is unpatriotic not to speak truth to power or anyone else and I stand by that. By doing so, we also know that God is always with those who speak the truth.

“So, I know that I am not wrong. The people are not wrong in telling the truth and sticking to the truth, and I pray that the president, who is now, I hope the message has reached him, to see what I have said and take the right action to eliminate the suffering of the people,” he said.

N70k minimum wage can only buy a bag of rice —Ndume first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.