He noted that the “N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024 must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” signaling a strong commitment from the executive arm to reopen discussions surrounding statutory labor compensation.

Gbajabiamila assured organized labor groups that the administration does not view workers as adversaries but rather as key contributors to the progress of the country.

He emphasized that the government plans to approach the upcoming negotiations with a high level of empathy and cooperation.

“I can confirm to you that when the time comes to begin the process of reviewing the national minimum wage, this administration will approach that endeavor not as an adversary of Labour, but as a partner,” he said.

He further re-iterated the commitment of the president to human capital development and fair treatment of the workforce.

“President Tinubu has said time and again that the custodians of the nation’s machinery deserve a fair and commensurate wage, and as you all well know by now, this is the president who means precisely what he says and does exactly what he means,” Gbajabiamila stated, defending the president’s record on labor issues.

While urging trade unions and workers to maintain a peaceful posture, the Chief of Staff maintained that sustainable national growth requires an ongoing collaboration rather than perpetual conflict.

He mentioned that “It must be said that good governance is not a performance stage by government for the benefit of a passive audience, it’s a partnership between those who govern and those who are governed.”

He also emphasized that the relationship between the ruling political class and the working population remains the most crucial foundation for industrial harmony.

“No where is that partnership more vital than the relationship between government and the working people of Nigeria,” he added.

Concluding his address, the former lawmaker appealed directly to union leaders to choose the path of dialogue over strikes and industrial actions, which often cripple the national economy.

“It is with this understanding in mind that I ask the leaders of organized labour and the members of working people united to remain what you have so often been at your finest, partners in progress rather than antagonist in perpetuity, let us choose to dialog over disruption, because as we have proved again and again, we achieve far more when we visit together than when we retreat, retreat to our separate corners,” Gbajabiamila remarked.

In a related development, Politics Nigeria earlier reported that civil servants under the umbrella of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have already intensified pressure on the government, demanding a substantial increase to cushion the effects of inflation.

Organized labor has repeatedly argued that the current purchasing power of public servants has severely deteriorated, making an early review of the minimum wage structure inevitable. Nigerian News Subscription

An internal review and investigation corroborated the concerns raised by stakeholders, leading to the suspension of the officials involved.

As part of the measures taken, Kana-Zuru was suspended, with the Deputy State Chairman directed to assume leadership of the party in an acting capacity pending further directives.

Abiola was also suspended from his position as APC Chairman of Zuru LGA.

In a related development, Governor Nasir Idris has approved the suspension of the Commissioner for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Kabir Zuru.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Yakubu Bala-Tafida, revealed that the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.

The statement directed the commissioner to hand over all government property and official responsibilities under his custody to the permanent secretary of the ministry pending further action.

Political observers and party stakeholders have linked the suspensions to the outcome of the Zuru State Constituency by-election, which recorded a low voter turnout despite the APC retaining the seat.

Official figures indicated that out of more than 109,000 registered voters in the constituency, only about 5,000 participated in the election.

The APC has not indicated how long the suspensions will last.

However, all efforts made to reach the suspended officials proved abortive, as calls placed to their phone lines and messages sent to them were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

His words: “I am writing to inform Your Excellency, the President of the Senate, and the distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress APC to the African Democratic Congress ADC.

“My decision is based on the lingering internal crisis of the APC that has made my political inspiration a source of concern. I believe that the ideas of the ADC are better for the benefit of my senatorial district and Nigeria at large.

“The All Progressives Congress APC has not exhibited its slogan as justice, peace, and unity, especially in Kebbi State during the just concluded primary elections.

“It is in this regard therefore that I wish to inform you of my defection to the African Democratic Congress which I believe guarantees my political aspiration.”