As Nigerians express their frustration over the recent surge in petrol prices, tensions continue to rise between the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
News360 Info reports that this increase has further deepened the economic hardships already affecting the country.
The NLC, through its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, swiftly called on the federal government to reverse the price hike and return it to ₦617 per litre.
Ajaero noted that the government’s decision contradicted an earlier agreement reached with the union.
However, days have passed without the government reversing the price increase or offering any explanation for the change.
Just a day before the Dangote Group announced plans to roll out products after years of anticipation, retailers adjusted the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) upwards.
The new prices saw petrol selling between ₦950 and ₦1,400 per litre in various parts of the country.
This sudden price hike has plunged the nation into confusion, with worsening fuel queues, some lasting for over six weeks, and many filling stations shutting down.
Both the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and regulatory bodies have remained silent, failing to provide clear explanations, despite NNPCL denying any directive to increase fuel prices.
The NLC, known for leading protests against arbitrary fuel price hikes, accused the federal government of betraying its trust.
The union recalled that during negotiations on wage increases, the government had assured that it would not raise petrol prices if Labour compromised on its wage demands.
NLC spokesman Benson Upah, speaking with Weekend Trust, expressed disappointment, stating that the latest price increase was a breach of trust.
He revealed that during discussions on a new minimum wage, the government proposed two options: either raise the minimum wage to ₦250,000 while allowing petrol prices to climb to between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000, or accept a wage increase to ₦62,000 and maintain the current fuel prices.
Upah explained: “He made two offers which were to agree on the ₦250,000 we recommended while the price of PMS will rise to ₦1,500 to ₦2,000 or he will pay ₦62,000 and the status quo remains.
“He told us we had a few hours to consult. The Labour leaders did not take the bait, rather, we asked to be given more time and later requested for at least one week to consult outside the Villa.
“At the end of that one week, the Presidency met again, and the Labour leaders, who are forthright, unambiguously said we would not accept the offer of ₦250,000.
“They rejected that and this was out of consideration for the well-being of the average Nigerian because we looked and said what would be the effect of this on the ordinary person.
“To keep this brief, the president acted in breach of his promise to Labour leaders and he knows the truth.”
However, the President’s Special Assistant on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, refuted these claims, stating, “I sat through the two meetings President Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum wage. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians.”
Reacting to the statement from the presidential media aide, the NLC, in a statement on Wednesday by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said the labour union stands by its words.
The NLC accused Abdulaziz of engaging in dubious denial and also warned the media aide against taking a dig at the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
Upah stated further that the government should stop taking Nigerians for a ride as the citizens are entitled to a decent, respectable life free from harassment, intimidation and starvation.
The statement charged the presidency to note that falsehood will not last forever.
