Fuel Price Hike: We Feel Betrayed, Says NLC President Ajaero

NLC President Joe Ajaero expresses feelings of betrayal following the recent increase in fuel prices, highlighting the impact on Nigerian workers.

The increase in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol has left Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC unhappy as it feels that Nigerians, particularly those belonging to the working class have been let down.

On Tuesday, Comrade Joe Ajaero who presides over the NLC stated that one of the factors influencing their acceptance of a minimum wage amounting to N70,000 was an agreement stipulating no further hikes in fuel prices.

On Tuesday, Nigerians were startled by an abrupt surge in fuel price from the regular value of N617 per litre to N897.

The development, causing confusion among many Nigerians, elicited a response from the labor union currently embroiled in a terrorism-linked dispute with the Nigeria Police Force.

Ajaero issued a threat promising that the NLC’s relevant bodies will convene in upcoming days to reach verdicts, which shall be disclosed publicly.

Ajaero expressed a deep sense of betrayal by the federal government’s covert hike in PMS pump price. The acceptance of N70,000 as national minimum wage had been premised on the belief that there would be no increase in PMS cost despite its inadequacy.

“We have a clear memory of when our President gave us two undesirable choices: either accept a minimum wage of N250,000 (dependent upon the rise in fuel prices between N1,500 and N2,000) or receive only N70,000 (at pre-increase PMS rates). We chose the latter option since we could not bear inflicting additional hardships on Nigerians.”

However, a month has passed and the government still hasn’t started paying the new national minimum wage. We are now faced with an inexplicable reality.

The situation is both distressing and terrifying. However, when we warned the government that their strategy for addressing fuel subsidy discrepancies was fundamentally flawed and unsustainable, those who supported them scoffed at our assessment by claiming we lacked a basic understanding of economics.

To be honest, this act of betrayal is in line with the government’s character. We remember being assured by the National Assembly leadership that the 250% tariff increase had been addressed and there was no need to involve the Minister of Power who attended that meeting.

The rate has not been reversed as promised; instead, it has increased even more drastically. This development is causing greater risk and uncertainty for Nigerians and their respective businesses.

The End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests were triggered by the unprecedented decline of Nigerians and Nigeria resulting from the government’s aggressive implementation of right-wing market policies.

Instead of reconciling, the government chose to apprehend and relentlessly pursue individuals involved in or unrelated to these protests. They were accused of criminal conspiracy, subversion, treasonable felony, terrorism financing and cybercrime with an alleged motive of overthrowing President Tinubu’s administration.

In the pursuit of stifling legal dissent, the government’s agenda has led to a rampage by police and other security agencies who are terrorizing citizens.

They have shamelessly defamed and slandered multiple individuals, boldly intruded upon the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s statutory duties in settling trade disagreements beyond the purview of security agencies.

It is an understatement to say that the government is in a state of chaos due to poor living conditions. However, we assure Nigerians that at the Nigeria Labour Congress, we will not be intimidated into surrendering. We partnered with civil society to bring about this democracy when some of those currently holding political power were collaborating with the military on how to maintain their grip on power.

We were suspicious when the State and security forces targeted us in a hybrid war. We had an inkling that they were plotting something nefarious, aiming to divert or scare us before revealing their true intentions so we couldn’t mount a strong defense.

Having confirmed our suspicions now that the consequences have arisen, it is important to inform Nigerians about the government’s covert and deceitful intentions. The recent hike in PMS pump price is merely one of many ominous policies waiting to be implemented.

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We are firm in our solidarity with the people and will not be swayed or frightened by the government or its security forces. It is unacceptable for protests or fundamental rights of citizens to be considered criminal activity by the authorities. Therefore, we call for an immediate rollback on the recent hike in petrol pump prices nationwide.

All citizens who have been arrested or are under prosecution for taking part in the recent protests should be freed; there should no longer be any unfounded arrests and detentions made against individuals, and there must also be a reversal of the 250% increase in electricity tariffs.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment must not have their duties hijacked, policies that cause hunger and insecurity should be terminated, and the government’s culture of terror, falsehoods, and fear ought to come to a halt.

Our actions are driven by our faith in the nation and its requirement to safeguard its independence, unity, and citizens’ well-being. In due course, Congress’s relevant branches will convene to determine appropriate courses of action that shall be disclosed publicly.