MARGARET CHIDERA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the federal government of betrayal following a “clandestine” increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
In a statement issued by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the Congress condemned the government’s actions, describing the situation as both traumatic and nightmarish for Nigerians.
Ajaero expressed the deep sense of betrayal felt by the NLC and Nigerian workers, stating that one of the primary reasons the union accepted the new national minimum wage of N70,000 was the government’s assurance that there would be no further increase in the price of PMS.
“One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient,” he emphasized.
The NLC President recalled a crucial decision point when President Tinubu presented the union with two difficult choices: a minimum wage of N250,000 tied to a pump price hike of PMS to between N1,500 and N2,000, or a lower minimum wage of N70,000 with the existing PMS prices. The union opted for the latter to avoid imposing further hardship on Nigerians.
“We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians,” Ajaero noted.
However, Ajaero said that barely a month after this agreement, and with the government yet to commence payment of the new minimum wage, Nigerians are now facing a harsh reality with the sudden increase in fuel prices.
Ajaero expressed shock and disbelief at the situation, stating, “But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.”
The NLC President also criticized the government’s approach to resolving the fuel subsidy issue, which the union had previously warned was flawed.
He recalled that the union’s concerns were dismissed by government officials who accused them of lacking basic economic understanding.
“Yet, when we told government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, its front row cheerleaders sneered at us,” Ajaero said.
Ajaero further accused the government of having a history of betrayal, citing previous assurances by the National Assembly that a 250% tariff hike in electricity had been addressed. Instead of a reversal, the tariff has been further increased, putting additional strain on Nigerians and businesses.
“Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy,” he remarked.
The NLC also drew attention to the broader implications of the government’s policies, which have led to widespread discontent and the recent End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.
Ajaero condemned the government’s response to these protests, which included the arrest and detention of participants and even those unaffiliated with the demonstrations. He described the government’s actions as an attempt to stifle lawful dissent and muzzle the voices of the citizenry.
“In brazen pursuit, they have defamed and libeled not a few individuals,” Ajaero alleged, adding that the government has overstepped its bounds by interfering in the statutory roles of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The NLC President warned that the government’s actions have reached an all-time low, but vowed that the Congress would not be cowed into submission.
The NLC believes the government’s recent actions are part of a broader agenda to distract and weaken the union and other civil society groups. Ajaero stated, “When the State and the security forces picked on us in a hybrid war, we had our suspicions. We knew they were up to something sinister and needed to distract/divert our attention or possibly frighten or weaken us.”
With the recent fuel price hike, Ajaero argued that the union’s suspicions have been confirmed. He warned Nigerians that this increase is just the beginning of more “sinister policies” that the government plans to implement. “Now that the chickens have come to roost, we were right in our suspicions,” he declared.
In response to the fuel price hike, the NLC is demanding an immediate reversal of the increase across the country. The union is also calling for the release of all individuals arrested or prosecuted in connection with recent protests, the reversal of the 250% electricity tariff hike, and an end to the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped-up charges.
“We insist that government cannot criminalize protests or basic rights in the domain of the citizenry,” Ajaero stated firmly. The NLC is also demanding an end to policies that engender hunger and insecurity and a halt to the government’s culture of terror, fear, and lying.
Furthermore, Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and the sovereignty of the country.
He assured the public that the NLC, in collaboration with civil society, would continue to fight for justice and would not be intimidated by the government or its security agencies.
“In the coming days, the appropriate organs of the Congress will be meeting to take appropriate decisions, which will be made public,” he announced.
