Ogun NLC Boss Rallies Nigerians Against Subsidy Removal

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ogun State chapter, Comrade Akeem Ambali has called on all Nigerians to support the labour union in fighting the government over what he described as, “satanic and undemocratic decision” to remove fuel subsidy.

Speaking with our correspondent on phone this morning, the labour leader who is on his way to Abuja for the NLC meeting insisted that Nigerians would reject the removal of the petroleum subsidy, which according to him, was Mr President’s bomb which will shatter all Nigerians if not rejected outrightly.

According to Ambali, “as I’m talking to you now, I’m on my way to Abuja. We are calling on all Nigerian workers to support labour in fighting this illegality by the government. The Federal Government has committed a crime and it must pay dearly for that. We have given them 48 hours ultimatum to revert this obnoxious decision and it would lapse by tomorrow.

“After the expiration of the ultimatum and the Federal Government refuses to heed the masses’ request, the union will then take a precise decision on the matter. We reject the removal in totality and Nigerians will not accept this illegality.”

The news of hike in the pump price of petroleum products hit the nation on New Year’s day, forcing all filling stations in the state to close abruptly.

Activities in many towns across the state, including Abeokuta, the state capital, Ota, Ijebu Ode, Ewekoro, Sango, Ijebu Igbo and Ago Iwoye today were low as most offices were closed, while the few people that went to work were seen discussing the petroleum subsidy removal.

The majority of those that spoke with our correspondent expressed shock and disappointment over the removal and called on the Federal Government to desist from its dictatorial steps which may cause anarchy in the country.

Reacting to the development at an emergency press briefing earlier, Comrade Ambali described the increment as a rude shock to Nigerians.

He said it is simply “a bad new year’s gift which all Nigerians have to reject.”

Ambali said the President had acted contrary to the law of the land, “as such the National Assembly must as a matter of urgency begin an impeachment process against Mr. President.”

He said: “This is not what we are asking for; the problem of Boko Haram is there without any positive step being taken by the Mr. President to curb it. Yet, he decided to inflict this pain on Nigerians by increasing the pump price of petroleum products.”

He asserted that all Ogun State civil servants would “reject this illegal, insensitive and unjustifiable action.

Ogun State workers are determined to join this struggle.”

— Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta