NLC issues five-day ultimatum to FG, demands reversal to old petrol price

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it is giving the federal government an ultimatum to revert to the old price of petrol or face a nationwide protest.

Joe Ajaero, NLC president, issued the ultimatum on Friday after a national executive council (NEC) meeting of the congress in Abuja.

He said the federal government had until next week Wednesday to revert to the old price of N185.

Ajaero said the congress would mobilise its members across the country for a strike and mass protest.

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday in his inaugural speech announced that there was no more petrol subsidy because it was not provided for in the 2023 appropriation act.

Shortly after his announcement, petrol queues resurfaced in filling stations across the country.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited said it would adjust its pump prices to reflect market realities.

TheCable reported how petrol has been sold between N488 and N557 in some states.

The move by the federal government has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

According to organised labour, Tinubu cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, also argued that there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.