Minimum Wage: N70,000 Can Only Buy A Bag Of Rice – Ndume

• Senator Ali Ndume continues to criticize President Tinubu despite facing repercussions like his removal as Senate Chief Whip
• Ndume acknowledged the N70,000 minimum wage as a positive step but emphasized its insufficiency in addressing Nigerians’ economic realities

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, continues to criticize President Bola Tinubu, despite facing repercussions such as his removal as Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate. His party has even suggested that he quit and join an opposition party, but Ndume remains steadfast in his commitment to speaking truth to power.

During an interactive session with journalists, Ndume was asked about the new N70,000 minimum wage, which President Tinubu convinced labor unions to accept. Ndume acknowledged the wage increase as a positive step but emphasized its insufficiency in addressing the economic realities faced by Nigerians.

“People are suffering, people are angry, people are not happy. I am happy that yesterday, the president agreed with NLC to increase the salary to N70,000, which is a good move, but it takes more than that because, realistically, that is like a bag of rice, money that will buy a bag of rice or cover the cost of a bag of rice,” Ndume stated.

He called on the president to remain open to the concerns of the people and take further actions to alleviate their suffering.

Ndume has previously described his critical stance as patriotic, urging President Tinubu to listen to the cries of Nigerians and address pressing issues immediately. He believes it is unpatriotic to blindly support the president without questioning his actions.

“I insist it is unpatriotic to stand by the president in whichever or whatever he does. It is patriotic to speak the truth not only to the president but also to anybody, for that matter. It is unpatriotic not to speak the truth to power or anybody and I still stand by that. In doing so, it is also known that God is always with the person that speaks the truth.”

Ndume expressed confidence in the righteousness of his stance and urged the president to consider his criticisms seriously and take appropriate measures to reduce the suffering of the people.