Nigerian Presidential Candidates Campaign on Economy
19 November 2010
Trade union members display placards during a protest, in Lagos, Nigeria, Nov 10, 2010
President Goodluck Jonathan ended the strike after just one day by promising to raise the minimum wage, which is now about $50 a month.
Political science professor Isitoah Ozoemene says the president gets credit for ending the walkout so quickly, but risks greater political losses if he fails to deliver on higher wages before next year's vote.
Ozoemene says the economy is an emotional issue for Nigerian voters, who are frustrated that lawmakers have taken so long to raise public wages when there appears to be no limit to how much money politicians make.
"Nigerians are suffering," said Ozoemene. "They don't have food on the table. Yet they see those who are supposed to be their public servants living in extravagant ways. Nobody approved their salaries, so why should it be the case [for workers]?"
President Jonathan is campaigning on what he says is evidence that he has got the economy back on track after a drop in oil revenues, which account for 85 percent of the federal budget.
"We have rolled out a law that requires companies operating in the oil and gas sectors of our economy to utilize an appreciable percentage of their goods and services from local sources," said Jonathan. "This will generate employment for our youth and empower our people."
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