The Labour Party (LP) has expressed deep concern and surprise at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, announced during his inauguration speech on Monday, May 29.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that in a statement issued by Obiora Ifoh, the Abure-led NWC National Publicity Secretary, the party lamented the immediate consequences faced by Nigerians less than 24 hours after Tinubu assumed power.
Obiora said citizens woke up to a staggering pump price of N600 per litre, skyrocketing to N750 per litre on the black market. As such, the LP warned Nigerians to brace themselves for more anti-people policies under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
While acknowledging that the Labour Party had promised to end the subsidy regime during its campaign, Ifoh criticised the hasty removal without proper measures to mitigate the effects on the people. He emphasised that the re-emergence of fuel queues nationwide and the inevitable rise in transport fares were predictable outcomes of this decision.
Part of the statement reads, “This scenario easily reminds one of the story of a certain Pharaoh who on assumption of throne empowered his task-masters to triple the daily tasks of the Jews. What a way to announce one’s emergence as the sheriff in town. President Tinubu’s first executive proclamation was such that it is purposed to inflict pains on Nigerians.
“Labour Party while campaigning in the last election also proposed ending the subsidy regime however, on the condition that necessary policies and actions would have to be in-situ. Labour Party also insists that the subsidy removal will be gradual and must be done with stakeholders’ input having in mind that a number of refineries will be recalibrated to near optimal functionality.
“The removal of subsidy by a presidential fiat as witnessed yesterday was not only shocking but practically took every Nigerian by surprise. Reason we advice 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 plans to remove the subsidy in such a way as not to jeopardise the peace of the nation.”
The party, however, called 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”.
Recall that this newspaper earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu clarified his stance on Subsidy Removal.
The president clarified that his declaration of “subsidy is gone” was not a new development or action of his administration. Instead, the president said it was an acknowledgement of the status quo, as the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last only for the first half of the year.
