Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) says the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s ultimatum over the hike in petrol prices is an invitation for the government to review its position on the matter.
President Bola Tinubu had in his inaugural speech declared that “subsidy is gone,” a development that led to the hike in the price of petrol across the country.
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The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the wake of the move reviewed its pump price for the product from about N185 to over N500. Since then, the NLC has asked for a reversal, threatening to protest next Wednesday.
But while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana said the ultimatum is an opportunity for the government.
He said;
Government has begun discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress which perhaps should have preceded the announcement. But it is a new government and I expect as a new government, they should take advantage of the opportunity.
When workers issue an ultimatum, in Nigeria and wherever it is an invitation for the government to review its position. The government this time around will have to look at the totality of the economy. What you call fuel subsidy is an infinitesimal aspect of subsidies in the country.
