Why we want governors above 50 years to resign – NLC

The Nigerian Labour Congress says it is demanding that governors above 50 years old resign their positions as a response to their proposal on Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The governors had proposed to President Muhammadu Buhari the need to retire and pay a one-off retirement benefit to civil servants from 50 years and above. They also asked the federal government to raise VAT to 15 per cent.

In his letter to Buhari, Ayuba Wabba, NLC’s president, said the 50 years-and-above governors should also resign in good faith.

“If state governors strongly believe that age 50 is the problem, we demand that all governors, public office holders and politicians above 50, as a mark of good faith, should immediately step aside. Leading by example would spur public servants to take a cue,” the letter, quoted by TheCable, reads.

The organised labour is also asking government to make a 50 percent salary review.

“While we commend you for your thoughtfulness for a wage increase, the truth of the matter is that given the misfortune that has befallen the Nigerian populace, especially workers with fixed incomes, there is an urgent need for a massive intervention much deeper than the 22 percent. We would recommend a 50 per cent salary review across the board given the realities on the ground,” the union said.

However, the NLC disagreed on the recommended VAT hike.

“These recommendations seek to make the poor pay more taxes while the rich pay little or nothing in clear violation of the well-known norm of the rich paying taxes to cover up for the poor.”

Instead of that, NLC urged the government to “raise taxes across the board for the rich, including increased taxes on luxury goods and lifestyles”.

On the subsidy removal canvassed by the governor, NLC said, “The solution to subsidy and the ballooning deficits lies in domestic refining, effective management of our refineries, and creating an enabling environment for effective and efficient public sector leadership in the building and management of local refineries.”