Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed his concerns about the feasibility of implementing the new national minimum wage of N70,000.

During a meeting with labor leaders, civil society organizations, and traders associations at the Government House in Gombe, Governor Yahaya stated, "I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament."

He attributed this challenge to the limited allocation from the federation account, which makes it difficult for the state government to implement the increased wage package. 

This comes despite the recent increase in federal allocation to Gombe and other states following the removal of petrol subsidies.

Governor Yahaya emphasized that even the previous minimum wage of N30,000 was a struggle for many state governments to implement. 

He also mentioned that Gombe State has yet to receive the promised 20 trucks of rice from the federal government, intended to alleviate the suffering of its citizens.

The governor's statement comes ahead of the planned nationwide protest, as he seeks to engage with stakeholders and explain the challenges facing the state government. 

His remarks highlight the need for a review of the revenue allocation formula to ensure that states receive sufficient funding to meet their obligations, including the payment of the minimum wage.