The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lambasted the President Bola Tinubu-led government for the recent hike in petrol prices, stating that it’s pushing Nigerians to the brink. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, expressed a deep sense of betrayal, recalling that one of the reasons they accepted the N70,000 minimum wage was the understanding that petrol prices would remain unchanged.
The petrol price increase, which ranges from N855 to N897 per litre, has sparked outrage across the country. Ajaero emphasized that the Congress had opted for the lower minimum wage in exchange for stable petrol prices, only to be confronted with a harsh reality. He criticized the government’s approach to resolving fuel subsidy contradictions, which he believes is faulty and unsustainable.
Key Demands by the NLC:
- Immediate Reversal of Petrol Price Increase: The NLC urges the government to revert to the previous petrol prices.
- Release of Incarcerated Protesters: The Congress demands the release of those arrested during the recent #Endbadgovernance protests.
- Reversal of Electricity Tariff Hike: Ajaero also called for the reversal of the increased electricity tariff, which has further burdened Nigerians and businesses.
The NLC President warned that the Congress would convene in the coming days to take decisive actions, which would be made public. This development highlights the growing tensions between the labour union and the government over economic policies.