NLC accuses President Tinubu of betrayal over fuel price hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying Nigerians following the recent substantial increase in fuel prices.
In a statement made public on Tuesday by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union expressed shock and dismay at the secretive hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing it as a “deep sense of betrayal.”
The NLC stated that the acceptance of the N70,000 national minimum wage was based on the understanding that fuel prices would remain stable. The union criticized the government for breaking its promises and implementing harsh market policies that have plunged Nigerians into economic hardship.
The NLC also condemned the government’s crackdown on protesters, the arrest and detention of citizens on what it described as fabricated charges, and interference with the responsibilities of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. Our acceptance of N70,000 as the national minimum wage was contingent upon the understanding that PMS prices would not rise, even though we knew that N70,000 was insufficient,” the NLC said.
The union demanded the immediate reversal of the fuel price hike, the release of detained protesters, an end to arbitrary arrests, a rollback of the 250% electricity tariff increase, and a cessation of policies that exacerbate hunger and insecurity. The NLC also called for an end to what it described as the government’s culture of fear, terror, and deceit.
The NLC vowed to remain steadfast with the Nigerian people and warned that it would not be intimidated by the government or its security forces.
The Congress also announced that its decision-making bodies would meet in the coming days to determine their next course of action, which would be made public.
