Put National Interest First, Group Charges Organised Labour

A public interest civil society organisation, Patriotism Awareness Forum (PAF) has called on organised labour to drop its confrontational approach against biting economic effects of fuel subsidy removal.

 PAF in a statement signed by its convener, Comrade Nelson Ekujumi and co-convener, Peter Claver Oparah, affirmed that the national life-saving policy of President  Bola Tinubu administration needs to be encouraged to save the country from imminent failure.

 According to the group,  ‘’The outcome of the economic policy of fuel subsidy removal though painful and inevitable to come with economic pains and hardship for all irrespective of social status, has also brought in significant gains such as the fuel subsidy savings of over N400bn naira in June alone with the World Bank  projecting fuel subsidy savings of N3.9 trillion by December 2023. 

It has as well resulted in an increased FAAC allocation of N1.959 trillion to the three tiers of government for the month of June which is unprecedented in Nigeria’s political and economic history.’’

They urged the organised labour, “To rather apply rationality and embrace dialogue putting national interest above any other interest because the Nigerian peoples train has left the fuel subsidy station and there is no turning back.’’

PAF commended Nigerians for their understanding, resilience and patience over the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification policy amidst hypocritical and mischievous lies, falsehood and misinformation by anti-democratic elements to mislead, confuse and incite them for political capital.

According to PAF, ‘’The height of the evil machinations of the agents of destabilization is daily unfolding through peddling of fake news and misinformation, most especially with their level of desperation over the recent rise in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) due to market forces just like any other commodity in a free market economy, but which they are trying to use to incite and cause bad blood between the people and the government over the biting economic conditions.

 ‘’It is an indisputable fact that Nigerians across all divide have spoken in unison with one voice to commend and congratulate President Bola Tinubu for the courageous economic decision of fuel subsidy removal and the introduction of a single foreign exchange system to stop the hemorrhaging of our commonwealth and free resources for the three tiers of government to be able to deliver the dividend of democracy to our teeming masses.’’