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Revolution looms, Oyekan Arije warns

A labour leader, Pa Oyekan Arije has warned of a looming revolution in the country if the nation’s resources are not urgently and equitably distributed.

Oyekan, pioneer chairman of the Ondo State Branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress told The Hope that there are ominous signals in the country of an impending class war.

He expressed concern over the widening gap between the poor and the rich which he cautioned was posting out frightening, dangerous, provocative and ominous signals.

His words: “Senator Shehu Sanni has exposed the politicians that they collect N13.5million per month minus constituency allowance and other emoluments, while the highest paid Director in the ministry earns about N500, 000. I suggest top bottom approach to wage payment redistribution. We must reduce the ratio between the highest paid and the least paid in Nigeria.”

Arije who attributed the militancy in Niger Delta Region to the two million man match held in Abuja during the late General Sanni Abacha’s regime said insurgency is the making of politicians which he said has now gone out of hand.

He decried the ostentatious display of wealth by political office holders, adding that unemployment in the country is a catalyst for insecurity.

“No antidote for hunger, no pill has been invented to stop hunger.

“Let those in government stop the ostentatious lifestyle which they derived from looting of public funds. Resources of this country should be equitably for all. Unless this is done, a revolution is inevitable.”

Arije called for social security for the aged as it is being practised in the developed world, stressing that any presidential candidate that uses that to campaign will definitely win votes.

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On the hydra headed problem of insurgency in Nigeria, the labour veteran said politicians have bitten more than they could chew.

He described the N30,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government as slave wage which he said is too low for the average family man.

He said if the Federal Government could feed prisoner with an average of N450 per day, he submitted that a minimum of N70, 000 per month will be needed to take care of the average family.

The octogenarian who called for the review of revenue allocation in favour of the state government described the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin as the most upright Governor Ondo State ever had.

He called on labour leaders to be alive to challenge any burden placed on workers by the government or any employer and added that they should think ahead of the government.

On the seven months salaries arrears owed workers by the immediate past administration in the state, Arije said that alone did not make the administration end well as he also decried the labour leaders then who compromised the interest of the workforce.

“Towards the end of the Mimiko-led administration, workers were owed seven months salaries arrears. Higher Institutions owned by the state government were owed for almost a year. It is a pity that such rubbished his good work.

“I also blame the labour leaders who compromised the interest of their members. All did not end well towards the end of Mimiko’s administration.”

 

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