The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the federal government of betrayal following the recent increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). The NLC described the move as both traumatic and nightmarish.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed dismay over the price adjustment, which saw the pump price per litre of petrol rise to ₦855 across NNPC filling stations. Ajaero noted that the NLC had agreed to a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers based on an understanding with the government that fuel prices would not be increased.
The NLC criticized the government for implementing the price hike before commencing the payment of the new minimum wage, accusing the Bola Tinubu administration of consistent betrayal. Ajaero also condemned the government’s suppression of peaceful protests, intimidation of citizens, and the infliction of hardship on Nigerians.
In his words, Ajaero said, “That the government is on rampage in the face of stifling conditions of living is an understatement but we promise Nigerians that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be cowed into submission. Together with civil society, we brought about this democracy when some of the actors in power today were conspiring with the military on how to perpetuate their hold on political power.
“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 before they came out with it so that we would not have a robust response.
In response to the price hike, the NLC demanded the following actions:
Immediate reversal of the petrol price increase.
Release of all individuals incarcerated or prosecuted for participating in recent protests.
Halt to the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped-up charges.
Reversal of the 250% tariff hike in electricity.
Cessation of the hijacking of the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s duties.
End to policies that cause hunger and insecurity.
Halt to the government’s culture of terror, fear, and deceit.
The NLC’s statement emphasized the sense of betrayal felt by the union, recalling the government’s previous assurances that the pump price of petrol would not be increased. The union also highlighted the adverse effects of the government’s market policies, which have led to widespread hardship and protests across the country.
Ajaero warned that the NLC would take appropriate actions in the coming days to address the situation and stand resolute with the Nigerian people against the government’s oppressive measures
