Some human rights activists in Lagos on Tuesday advised workers not to vote for state governors owing arrears of salaries in future elections.
The activists told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the only way the people could get good governance was to vote in the right leaders.
According to the Nigeria Labour Congress, some states still owe salaries of workers.
Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of KOWA Party, described the situation as unfair.
“The citizens must find ways to demand good governance and also choose good leaders in the next election; it is not fair to the workers to work and not get paid.
“Unfortunately, these leaders insist on getting all their own benefits, while the people are told to make sacrifices just like it is happening at the National Assembly,” Sonaiya said.
Chief Gboyega Adeniji, the Chairman of Movement for Fundamental Change, also described actions of some governors as absurd.
“This crop of leaders are not servants of the people, they are Lords of the manor.
“Nigerians have to unite and speak with one voice in the next election and vote out these exploiters of people, they are bad influence on the economy,” Adeniji said.
Mr Toyin Raheem, the Executive Secretary of Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, urged the House of Assembly in states to impeach any governor who refused to pay workers’ salaries.
According to Raheem, the constitution has made it clear that workers should be paid the national minimum wage.
“How can these states ever get the best in terms of productivity out of their workers if they are not paid their monthly entitlements?
“Workers depend on this money to feed and take care of their families, including other dependents.
“Non-payment of salaries poses serious implications for the economy itself because it is when workers receive their pay that production increases.
“The pivot of the economy rotates around them, so it is wrong. Those governors should not remain in power for even a day,” he said.
(NAN)
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