The Youth for Democracy and Change (YDC) has lauded Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON for deciding to clear salary arrears, gratuities and pensions, saying this is the best decision any good leader can take during this economic hardship.
The group said the past PDP-led government in the state was irresponsible and callous for not paying salaries and pensions as and when due, adding that no one would be talking about salary arrears, gratuities, or pensions at this period if they were empathic enough to feel the pains of workers and pensioners during their reign.
YDC also lambasted a PDP self-styled pro-democracy group, Kwara Sustainable Development Advocacy Forum (KWASDAF), for kicking against the APC-led Kwara State government’s inclusion of the National Identity Number (NIN) as part of the requirements to access the funds.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Abdulbaki Kure, on Saturday, the pro-democracy group said, “We thank Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON for clearing the ex-governor AbdulFatah Ahmed era unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions.
“Once again, Governor AbdulRazaq has shown that he is a receptive and empathic leader whose priority is the welfare of his people. There is no better time to clear all the arrears than this period of economic hardship. We thank him for this and his numerous pro-masses interventions so far.
“The decision of the Kwara State government to add a National Identity Number (NIN) as one of the requirements for workers and pensioners to access the funds is good. There is no formal sector today in Nigeria whose staff does not have NIN and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
“Recently, most banks messaged their esteemed customers, asking them to come and update their NINs and BVNs within a stipulated time; if not, they would be penalised. In reaction to the message, a lot of Nigerians have been visiting their various banks with their BVNs and NINs.
“There is no other reason these banks insist that their customers should update their NINs and BVNs other than to prevent the fraudulent activities of unscrupulous elements who may be defrauding unsuspecting customers/Nigerians.
“The NIN criteria will help the state government fish out the ghosts among its workers. But a former PDP House of Representatives Candidate for Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, Musa Idris Buko speaking for the party but hiding under a non-existing self-styled pro-democracy group and ghost worker cartel, KWASDAF, has been churning out self-inflicted pieces against the APC-led government for its harmless NIN criteria.
“If Kwara PDP hiding under a group were to be a serious and enlightened party, it would know that almost all the formal sectors in Nigeria, including government, seek the National Identity Number (NIN). But the hate politics it plays under the pretence of a ‘pro-democracy’ group has blinded its eyes.”
YDC added that the Kwara PDP is resisting the state government’s efforts to fish out ghost workers through its numerous defamatory pieces against the APC-led government because it is operating a ghost worker cartel, however, disguising and hiding itself under a non-existing pro-democracy group.
Signed:
Abdulbaki Kure
YDC Director of Media Publicity
Saturday, March 2, 2024