The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday called for an immediate reversal of the recent increase in petrol prices announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), stating that the hike has exacerbated the suffering of Nigerians.

Amidst the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country, the NNPCL raised the pump price of petrol from ₦568 to between ₦855 and ₦897 per litre, depending on the location.

In a statement condemning the move, NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the Federal Government of betraying the labour movement.

Ajaero stated, “We demand the immediate reversal of the latest increase in the pump price of PMS across the country, the release of all those incarcerated or being prosecuted on the assumption of having participated in the recent protests, an end to the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on trumped-up charges, a reversal of the 250% hike in electricity tariffs, and a halt to the hijack of the duties of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

“We also demand an end to policies that create hunger and insecurity, a cessation of the government’s culture of terror, fear, and deception. We are guided by our belief in our country and the need to secure and sustain its sovereignty, integrity, and the welfare of the people.”

According to the NLC President, the current administration has yet to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000.

Accusing the government of insincerity, Ajaero described the administration’s policies as traumatic. He recalled how President Bola Tinubu offered labour leaders the option of choosing a new minimum wage of ₦250,000 in exchange for a petrol price of ₦1,500 per litre, a proposal they rejected due to its potential impact on Nigerians.

“But here we are, barely a month later, with the government yet to begin payment of the new national minimum wage, facing a reality we cannot explain. It is both traumatic and nightmarish.

“Yet, when we warned the government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy issue was fundamentally flawed and unsustainable, its staunch supporters scoffed at us, claiming we did not understand basic economics.

“But in truth, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances given by the leadership of the National Assembly regarding the 250% tariff hike, that the issue had been resolved and there was no need to engage the Minister of Power who was present at that meeting,” he said.

Ajaero lamented that instead of the promised reversal, “the rate has since been further increased, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy.”