The Labour Party has told Nigerians to be ready for more shocking announcements in response to President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh stated that Tinubu’s declaration was just the beginning of many shocking policies to be expected.
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Tinubu had confirmed on Monday that his administration would no longer pay subsidies on petroleum products, stating that “fuel subsidy is gone!” during his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja.
However, Ifoh criticized the president’s decision, stating that it was made without any form of consultation with organized labor and other relevant stakeholders.
Ifoh said:
“The Labour Party has been confronted with the stark reality that less than twenty-four hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over the reins of power, Nigerians woke up to see the pump price of petrol shot up to N600 per litre and N750 per litre in the black market. This is arising from the immediate removal of subsidy on petrol as announced by the new administration.
“As we speak, the queues are back again and Nigerians will, as was the case in the previous administration, begin to keep vigils in the filling station to get just a few litres of petrol. As expected commercial transporters have hiked their trip fares across the country in response to the developments. While product hawkers are once more the king of the jungle.
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“This scenario easily reminds one of the stories of a certain Pharaoh who on an assumption of the throne empowered his taskmasters to triple the daily tasks of the Jews. What a way to announce an emergence as the sheriff in town. President Tinubu’s first executive proclamation was such that it is purposed to inflict pains on Nigerians.”
According to Ifoh, LP had also proposed ending the subsidy regime during the last election campaign. However, the proposal was made on the condition that necessary policies and palliative measures would be put in place.
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He said:
“The removal of subsidy by presidential fiat as witnessed yesterday was not only shocking but practically took every Nigerian by surprise. The reason we advise Nigerians to brace up for more rude shocks and surprises in the days ahead.
“Labour is therefore condemning the unilateral decision by President Tinubu who without any form of consultation with the stakeholders particularly, the Labour unions removed the subsidy on petroleum and has instantly pushed Nigerians further into hardship.
“Labour Party has observed with pains that some of the petrol station operators simply shut their filling stations and depot owners also shut their operations. They have also argued that no clarification was given on the execution of the policy. We are therefore calling on the government to quickly reevaluate the policy, and come up with a more practical plan to remove the subsidy in such a way as not to jeopardize the peace of the nation.
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“We are also calling on the various unions, social activists, and Nigerians, in general, to be watchful and ensure that democracy is not derailed by whatever means and guise.”
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