NLC Chairman Murtala Usman Challenges Malami's Claims on Workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kebbi Council, led by Chairman Murtala Usman, has dismissed allegations made by Abubakar Malami, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, concerning the welfare of workers in Kebbi. Malami claimed that workers were suffering due to unpaid pensions and unlawful salary deductions in his Independence Day message.

In response, Usman stated that trade unionism is based on evidence and negotiation, not rumors. He highlighted the NLC's continuous engagement with the Kebbi state government since Governor Nasir Idris took office in 2023, addressing various worker-related issues through collective bargaining and social dialogue.

Usman noted that the state government had approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000, exceeding the federal benchmark of ₦70,000, while acknowledging that further improvements in workers' purchasing power are necessary due to inflation. He also commented on Malami's proposal for a ₦110,000 minimum wage if elected in 2027, stressing the importance of assessing such promises based on feasibility and sustainability.