The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying the labor movement and all Nigerians by raising petrol prices recently and resulting in scarcity across the country. Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, expressed his discontent on Tuesday regarding the ongoing confusion over the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, describing the situation as “traumatic and nightmarish.” ..Read Full Article
Ajaero recalled that President Tinubu had presented the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) with a choice during negotiations for a new minimum wage: either N250,000 with a potential increase in the fuel price or N70,000 while keeping the fuel price unchanged.
Ajaero criticized the government for its actions, stating that instead of maintaining the promised price, the cost of petrol has increased even further, putting more Nigerians and businesses at risk.
He stated, “We recall vividly when Mr. President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as a minimum wage (subject to a rise in the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old PMS rates). We opted for the latter because we could not accept further punishment on Nigerians.”
“But here we are, barely one month after, with the government yet to begin paying the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain. It is both traumatic and nightmarish.”
Ajaero also criticized the government’s approach to the fuel subsidy issue, stating that when the NLC warned that its strategy was flawed and unsustainable, government supporters dismissed their concerns, saying they did not understand basic economics.
He further noted, “But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances we were given by the leadership of the National Assembly on the 250% tariff hike, that it had been dealt with, and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting.”
“Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has increased further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy. The combined effects of the government’s aggressive right-wing market policies have brought Nigerians and Nigeria to an all-time low, leading to the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.”
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