ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Federal Government’s policy of fuel subsidy removal may have precipitated another crisis, as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is now formulating plans to investigate payments for imported fuel made during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, unveiled these plans at an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the labour union in Abuja on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Ajaero expressed deep concern over the state of affairs in the country, specifically highlighting that many state governors were yet to implement the N30,000 minimum wage.
He also lamented the government’s apparent apathy towards the multidimensional poverty experienced by over half of Nigeria’s population.
“We are going to probe subsidy payments in the last eight years, at least that under the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari because nobody seems to be looking in that direction,” Ajaero announced to the press in attendance at the meeting.
This declaration by the NLC leadership indicates a possible escalation of tensions over the removal of fuel subsidies, a move that has already incited widespread discontent and threatens to trigger mass protests from civil society groups.
As the nation watches, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the course and consequences of this brewing conflict.
