As the new Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) hit N855, the Nigeria Labour Congress has branded President Bola Tinubu a betrayer following the recent significant hike in fuel prices.
In a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, and made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, the Labour Centre expressed shock and dismay at the clandestine increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing it as a “deep sense of betrayal.”
The NLC recalled that one of the reasons for accepting the N70,000 national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased.
The Congress accused the government of reneging on its promises and implementing “ferocious right-wing market policies” that have driven Nigerians to their “all-time low.”
The NLC also condemned the government’s crackdown on protesters, the arrest and detention of citizens on trumped-up charges, and the encroachment on the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as the national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased, even though we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient,” the Congress stated.
The Congress further demanded the “immediate reversal of the fuel price increase; the release of incarcerated protesters; an end to indiscriminate arrests and detentions; reversal of the 250% electricity tariff hike; a stop to the encroachment on the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s duties; an end to policies that engender hunger and insecurity; and a halt to the government’s culture of terror, fear, and deceit.”
The NLC vowed to stand resolute with the people and not be intimidated by the government or its security agencies, warning that appropriate decisions would be taken in the coming days.
“In the coming days, the appropriate organs of the Congress will be meeting to take appropriate decisions which will be made public.”
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