NLC Accuses Tinubu’s Government of Betrayal Over Fuel Price Hike
FCT, Abuja On Tuesday, September 3, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed feelings of betrayal by the federal government following the recent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Joe Ajaero, NLC President, stated that the decision to accept a new minimum wage of N70,000 was based on the agreement that there would be no rise in petrol prices. Ajaero explained that when President Bola Tinubu offered Labour leaders a choice between a N250,000 minimum wage (subject to rising petrol prices between N1,500 and N2,000 per litre) and N70,000 at the old rates, they chose N70,000 to avoid further hardship for Nigerians.
The NLC has demanded a reversal of the recent price increase, denouncing it as a betrayal by the Tinubu administration. The Congress plans to hold meetings to decide on further actions.
The NLC’s statement reads: “We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. It is both traumatic and nightmarish.”
Additionally, there was a directive for retail outlets to increase petrol prices to N1,200 per litre.
In a related development, Primate Elijah Ayodele of the Inri Evangelical Church has called for the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, in response to the fuel crisis.
