Nigeria Labour Congress blasts APC leader over comments on fuel subsidy removal

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba expressed hisdisappointed at the comment attributed to former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

You will recall that there were reports in the media that Tinubu canvassed for fuel subsidy to be removed.

The NLC President said “It is a great surprise to hear that Tinubu is calling for the removal of fuel subsidy.”

Adding that this was the same policy the APC leader opposed when it was implemented by formerPresident Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

Wabba also stated that the Labour body will resist any attempt to remove fuel subsidy in 2016.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson also said “In the meantime, we wish to restate our opposition, adopted at our Central Working Committee (CWC) emergency meeting of 22nd December, to any attempt by the government to increase the price of or remove the subsidy on petrol.

“We reiterate our directive to our state councils and industrial unions to commence the process of mobilisation prior to a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to be convened in the New Year.”

You will recall that President Buhari said in July 2015, that the arguments for subsidy removal had no depth, adding that the poor will bear the brunt if the subsidy is removed.

Speaking through Mallam Garba Shehu, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari said “When you touch the price of petroleum products, that has the effect of triggering price rises on transportation, food and rents. That is for those who earn salaries, but there are many who are jobless and will be affected by it.”

Read: Nigeria Labour Congress slams FG over planned removal

Adding that “I have received many literature on the need to remove subsidies, but much of it has no depth.”

The Occupy Nigeria protests held on Monday, 2 January 2012, in opposition to the removal of fuel subsidy by former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, 1 January 2012.