- The president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, called President Bola Tinubu a betrayer over the hike in fuel price
- Ajaero said the hike in fuel prices will make life more difficult for the masses
- Nigerians react, some believe the NLC President is incompetent
The Nigerian Labour Congress has called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a betrayer over the recent hike in fuel prices. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero also demanded an immediate reversal of the hike in fuel price announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
This was contained in a statement signed by Ajaero on Tuesday, September 3.
The NLC said that one of the reasons for accepting the new minimum wage was the agreement that the price of fuel would not be increased.
The statement reads in part: “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 national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of pms would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.
“We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), we opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians.
“But here we are, barely one month after and with government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.
“It is both traumatic and nightmarish.”
Nigerians react to NLC’s statement
Many Nigerians believe that the Labour movement doesn’t know how to wield its power. Some people said they have lost confidence in the NLC and that the NLC leaders seem to be incompetent.
Here are some of the comments:
@RealQueenBee__ posted: “Gone are the days, NLC has become a toothless street dog, no one takes them serious anymore.”
@macabelee posted: “This man @JoeAjaero94024 will go down as one of the most foolish
@NLCHeadquarters leader. How can you all adults at this age & time go into a meeting with FG & believe a president like Tinubu will not increase PMS price. It shows as union leaders, you all lack discernment & lack the foresight required of any leadership group. I wrote at that time that it’s foolery to believe Tinubu when he said he will not increase PMS price. As the mother of all union, you disappointed Nigerians when you compromised that fatuous agreement.
Now you know exactly why the Nigeria Govt through the Nigerian Police have been trying to robe you with criminal charges….just to silence the NLC & discourage whatever protest that may arise from this fuel price increase & also dissuade the planned October protests.
A foolish union!”
@savagekizz posted: “Was this not the same people chanting “tiri gbosa for the president!” some days ago?😃”
@realTobiAkinbo posted: “The NLC keeps betraying Nigerians for crumbs. You weren't betrayed; you betrayed Nigerians and the hardworking workers.”
@iszzyiniho1 posted: “Why should we ever believe you people again? I lost confidence in NLC since comrade Adams Oshomole's administration came to an end.”
@GIbadin posted: “It's not too late to call for immediate redress. The labour union unfortunately do not know the power they have.”
@your_Favxparte posted: “You were betrayed? NLC who's going to cry for all your betrayals to Nigerians?”
@emonitie posted: “This is one of the most clueless person in the labour Union. Zero negotiation ability. Just call for strike every market day and agree with word of mouth and handshake.”
@habiblinz posted: “Sorry to say but This man has to be the most unintelligent Head of organization I’ve seen. It hurt me that he handles one of the fundamental congress in Nigeria and yet he’s being played like sega. Can you imagine the rubbish this man is saying. ?”
@ZubyrMoshud posted: “NLC is visionless and didn’t do her calculations before accepting N70,000.00 minimum wage for the country.”
NLC calls emergency meeting as police invite Ajaero
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called for an emergency National Executive Council meeting after the Nigerian Police invited the NLC President concerning claims of terrorism.
According to a notice from Emmanuel Ugboaja, Secretary General of the NLC, attendance from all heads of affiliates and state chapters was required.