Obaseki’s camp slams Okpebholo, APC over minimum wage claims

The political climate in Edo State has turned contentious as Crusoe Osagie, media adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, has fiercely criticized the Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Osagie accused them of spreading “barefaced lies” and engaging in propaganda to tarnish Obaseki’s legacy, particularly on the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

Osagie dismissed allegations by the acting chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bernard Joman, who claimed that the former governor failed to implement the new minimum wage.

He described the accusations as “mischievous and ridiculous,” emphasizing that Obaseki was the pioneer of the ₦70,000 minimum wage policy in May 2024.

“Edo civil servants were the first to benefit from the ₦70,000 minimum wage under Obaseki’s leadership,” Osagie stated. “This bold step set a precedent across the nation, prompting other states and the Federal Government to follow suit.”

He further urged Governor-elect Okpebholo to focus on raising the minimum wage to ₦100,000, citing worsening inflation as a pressing concern for workers, instead of engaging in “unintelligent propaganda.”

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The statement accused Okpebholo of dedicating his time in office to discrediting Obaseki’s achievements rather than outlining his own development agenda. Osagie pointed to the restoration of the Nigerian Observer Newspapers during Obaseki’s tenure as an example of transformative reforms.

“Before Obaseki’s Midas touch, the Nigerian Observer languished in a decrepit state with outdated equipment. Now, it has been turned into a tool for propaganda by the new administration,” Osagie remarked.

He also accused Okpebholo of relying on “skewed narratives and deliberate falsifications” in an attempt to tarnish Obaseki’s eight-year record of bold reforms and innovative governance that placed Edo State on the path to prosperity.

Osagie advised Okpebholo to redirect his focus toward governance, urging him to present a development agenda that addresses the needs of Edo residents. He argued that “unintelligent lies and propaganda” would not win the love and support of the people.

“Rather than seeking to rewrite Obaseki’s story, Okpebholo should focus on addressing the challenges faced by Edo citizens and building on the legacy of progress established by his predecessor,” Osagie said.

The exchange highlights the growing tensions between the APC and Obaseki’s supporters in the aftermath of the contentious September 21 governorship election.

Osagie reiterated accusations that the APC “stole the mandate” through election irregularities orchestrated by “godfathers, lions, and tigers” within the party.

As Edo State navigates this political transition, observers question whether the back-and-forth accusations will give way to a constructive focus on governance and the delivery of promised reforms.