Joe Alero Few months ago, Nigerians were preparing for the general elections when one of the Ministers of State, Festus Keyamo of the Ministry of State for Labour and Employment saw today, in advance.
Keyamo was sharp to query the integrity and opinions of the National Labour Congress (NLC), when the union leaderships were endorsing presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi for the presidential election.
Peter Obi has promised to remove oil subsidy if he win the presidential election, but NLC just threw their support under Peter Obi without negotiation. However, the same Alero faction of the NLC is picking side against the Federal Government of Nigeria for subsidy removal. Unfortunately, the same Alero faction of the NLC decided not to sit with the Federal Government on the way forth before he declared industrial action against the government.
Let us look at the Press release Festus Keyamo issued in the middle of the campaigns, on Saturday, September where he queried the sincerity of the Alero's NLC:
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS AND OTHER LEFT-WING SUPPORTERS OF THE LABOUR PARTY SHOULD COME CLEAN ON THEIR STAND ON PETER OBI’S VOW TO REMOVE FUEL SUBSIDY IF ELECTED
We note that the leadership of the organized labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, September 13, 2022, at a national retreat of the Labour Party in Abuja, promised to mobilise its members across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to ensure victory for Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in next year’s presidential election.
We also note that in several interviews he granted in the last few months and weeks, Mr. Peter Obi has vowed to totally remove subsidy on petrol if elected President. We also note NLC’s long-standing opposition to total removal of fuel subsidy. Other left-leaning supporters of the Labour Party were also present at the event to cheer Mr. Peter Obi.
Consequently, the following questions are urgently begging for answers by the leadership of the NLC:
1. Before adopting Mr. Peter Obi as its candidate, did the leadership of the NLC have a discussion with him on the issue of removal of fuel subsidy?
2. If they did have that discussion, did Mr. Peter Obi agree to back down on the issue of subsidy removal? Was that a basis for supporting him? If he did not back down on the issue, did organised Labour agree with him?
3. If no such discussion held, does it mean the leadership of the NLC now fully supports the removal of fuel subsidy? Or will that not be reckless of the NLC to adopt a candidate without thoroughly interrogating the candidate on his policies as they affect the Nigerian workers or the masses? The NLC must make a public statement and come clean on this.
4. If the excuse is that Mr. Peter Obi has said that the money saved will be used in other critical areas of the economy, how is that different from what the Buhari’s Government is also saying?
These questions have become necessary because Nigerians deserve to know whether organised Labour’s adopted party, which is the Labour Party, supports and promotes a policy that the leadership of Labour opposes in another breath when it is adopted by the government of the day. They cannot be blowing hot and cold.
As our Council stands for issue-based campaigns, we call on all members of the 4th Estate of the Realm not to sweep this point under the carpet and to thoroughly interrogate the NLC and the Labour Party on the one hand; and the seemingly right-leaning supporters of the Labour Party and Mr. Peter Obi on the other, on this issue so that they will come clean before Nigerians.
Category: Forum
Tag: Festus Keyamo joe Alero NLC strike
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 6/5/2023 7:25:08 AM