Shehu Sani: Those supporting hike in PMS price ‘are in chains’

Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna central, has expressed reservations over the division among labour leaders, maintaining his stance that the increase in the pump price of petrol is not in the interest of the masses.

Sani said people who were opted out of the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at  the last minute have the constitutional rights to “revere their chains”.

He also warned against the alleged intimidation of labour leaders, calling on Nigerians to appreciate the NLC for standing by the masses over the years and for making “contributions to the realisation of political change in Nigeria”.

“Increase in pump price of petroleum products does nothing other than add to the suffering of Nigerians but those in support of it have the constitutional rights to revere their chains,” he said in a statement.

“Unjust policies must not be beclouded by political interests and political convenience. Campaign of calumny and blackmail against the NLC and Labour leaders simply for speaking out and standing up for their traditional constituents must stop.

“We joined and applauded the NLC for leading a mass protest against increase in pump prices of petroleum products in the past. It’s hypocritical to condemn them now for their principled stand on same issue. Our quests for justice and equity must not depend upon the Government or persons in power but must depend upon the matters of principles at hand.

“The cloud of intimidation and blackmail against people for expressing their objections must end. We are now in a state whereby dissent is equated to disloyalty.

“We must learn to tolerate views and positions different from our own no matter how unpopular. If we must all agree on all issues at all times, democracy couldn’t have been ‘invented’. Democracy guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to free speech and to objection and this must be respected.

“It’s imperative for our people to understand that the political class define and view social justice in the colours of their personal interest.

“Those who stood against increase in price of petroleum products yesterday and stood for it today have betrayed the very principle which they claimed to represent.

“If for political convenience we choose to divide or destroy the Labour unions today, we will be harming the very organ that stands as the guardian of democracy.”