The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State on Monday faulted the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approval of N73,000 minimum wage for the state workers.

In a statement, the PDP described the increment of the new minimum salary wage approved by Mr Aiyedatiwa during his governorship campaign flag-off on Saturday as a “Greek gift.”

The statement signed by Ayo Fadaka, the spokesperson of the PDP campaign organisation, asked Ondo civil servants to avoid being hoodwinked by Mr Aiyedatiwa into voting for him in the November election.

“The teeming civil servants in Ondo State see this latest promise about a new minimum wage increment as another Greek gift to hoodwink unsuspecting members of Ondo State civil service into voting for him,” PDP said.

The fresh increment came after the federal government and organised labour had signed an agreement on the new minimum wage of N70,000.

However, the PDP slammed the APC candidate for the increment, stating that the timing was not auspicious enough.

“It is disrespectful to announce the new minimum wage of dignified and decorous Ondo State workers on the podium of the electioneering campaign, thereby politicising the welfare and well-being of the state civil service to gain undue political mileage in the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for November 16.

“The timing is ill-conceived, and nobody is going to take him seriously because he has deceived the civil service once, and they won’t allow him to deceive them one more time – Once bitten, twice shy,” the statement read.

Reacting, Mr Aiyedatiwa tackled the PDP, saying the increase in the workers’ salaries was not to score cheap political gains.

In a statement by his media aide, Sunday Abire, the governor said the state’s people had decided to be lucky under his administration with the announcement of the new minimum wage.

“Aiyedatiwa will never say a thing he does not mean. He didn’t announce 73,000 as the minimum wage to score political points. To think that the PDP doesn’t know that there are apolitical procedures for implementing the minimum wage is a big shame.

“The workers of Ondo State have made up their minds to support the party as well as the governor that treats them well with regular payment of salaries and other benefits. The people have noted the PDP’s anger the moment Governor Aiyedatiwa announced a robust minimum wage that is not yet obtainable in any state in Nigeria. May Ondo State workers who the PDP wishes to suffocate continue to be Lucky under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa beyond 2025.

“Ondo state workers are asking the PDP to heal itself already as they have started calculating their pay. It’s a year of increase for the workers of Ondo State. No controversy. Prosperity is here to stay with Governor Aiyedatiwa in the saddle,” the statement read in part.