Subsidy removal: NUJ directs members to join strike

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has directed its councils in the 36 states and FCT to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday June 7, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refuses to reverse the new petroleum price regime.

The President, Bola Tinubu, during his inaugural speech on May 29, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, consequently the NNPC came up with a new price regime of over 300 per cent increase in pump prices of pterol across the country.

NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, in a press statement, weekend in Abuja, said: “An emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the Union was convened online, Saturday, to discuss issues surrounding the decision by the federal government to remove fuel subsidy and the position taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“After presentations by the National President, Chris Isiguzo, and the National Treasurer Bamidele Atunbi on the position taken by NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of NLC on the issue.

“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channeled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive government as being insensitive to their plight.”

According to Leman, “CWC also notes that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens. 

“Accordingly CWC directs all State Councils of the Union to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday next week, June 7, 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector.”

Blueprint reports that representatives of the government met with the officials of the NLC, however, the meeting ended in a deadlock.

The NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, while briefing journalists after its NEC meeting, Friday, directed all state councils and industrial unions to commence mobilisation for the strike action which would be implemented if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited failed to reverse the new petroleum pump prices.