Senator Smart Adeyemi who represents Kogi West Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber was first elected in 2007. Adeyemi who was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs during the 6th Senate, is the Vice Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum. Before his election, the Senator was the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ from 1999 to 2006.
In this interview the outspoken journalist turned lawmaker spoke on the burning issue of minimum wage of N18,000 for the workers, warning that the governors have no reason not to pay the money.
Excerpts:

Some State governors are insisting that they cannot implement the N18,000 minimum wage for workers. What is your take on this?

I am urging state governors not to in any way hesitate to pay the minimum wage to Nigerian workers. More importantly, this is a bill that has been signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan out of consideration for the poor standard of living of Nigerians after a thorough debate by the National Assembly.

Did the Senate consider the revenue base of the states before passing the bill?

In passing the bill, we took into consideration resources available based on the Federation Account allocation to states and the Internally Generated Revenue of the states.

We were to even increase the minimum wage beyond N18,000 but we felt it is good enough for every state of the Federation to be able to afford.

But some of the governors have agreed to pay.

While commending those governors that have accepted to pay, those reluctant can easily do so if they review their huge security votes and white elephant projects that are not meaningful.

The security vote is a conduit pipe of depriving Nigerian workers and the populace of improved standard of living. Those democratically elected must not have cause to fear those who elected them.

And if every governor will reduce unjustifiable foreign trips with huge estacodes being siphoned out of the country, the states will be able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage.

State governors must bear in mind that never in the history of our nation has the gap between the rich and the poor has been widened as it is presently the case.

What would be the implication if at the end of the day, some of the governors refuse to or cannot implement the N18,000 minimum wage?

Thus, refusal to pay the N18,000 minimum wage is to lay a foundation for avoidable confrontation which could lead to a breakdown of law and order bearing in mind large army of unemployed people and frustrated Nigerians who will not hesitate to join any revolt. State governors must not act as if they are not in the knowledge of the poor standard of living of Nigerian workers.

While commending the President for signing the N18,000 minimum wage bill into law, state governors must not pretend that the happenings in North African countries cannot guide us in policy formulation and implementation.

You are talking about something close to a revolution if they, (the governors) cannot, what is the way forward on how to raise money?

State governors must look inward in raising funds by taxing the rich, those who are on daily basis putting up mansions and skyscrapers in our cities, and those who drive posh cars and fuel guzzling four-wheel drive vehicles.