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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce immediate wage awards for workers as rising petrol prices continue to increase transportation costs and worsen economic hardship.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made the demand in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, citing the impact of higher petrol prices on workers’ purchasing power and quality of life.

Ajaero said petrol was selling for about N1,430 per litre in major urban centres, with prices higher in less accessible areas, and warned that rising transport fares could trigger further increases in food prices, school fees, rents and tariffs.

Ajaero said the continued increase in petrol prices was significantly affecting workers’ purchasing power and quality of life, particularly as transportation costs continued to rise.

The NLC president attributed part of the latest petrol price increase to the resurgence of conflict in the Gulf but argued that Nigeria should have mechanisms to protect citizens from sudden international energy market shocks.

“As a nation, and as a people endowed with enormous fossil resources, we are deserving of a certain level of protection or buffer against the gales from the Gulf,” he said.

Ajaero urged the Federal Government to immediately introduce reasonable wage awards, make sufficient crude oil available in naira to local refineries and expand the country’s storage capacity.

He said the measures would help cushion the impact of international market shocks, strengthen energy security, create employment opportunities and generate additional economic value.

“These measures will create jobs, economic value as well as deal with mutating security challenges,” he said.

Ajaero also said government intervention through subsidies or palliatives remained justified during emergencies that placed severe economic pressure on citizens.

“There is nothing wrong with government subsidising the needs of citizens, especially in emergency situations like this,” he said.

The NLC president said the intervention was necessary because the government was earning between $35 and $40 above the budgeted crude oil price in the international spot market.

Petrol prices have come under renewed pressure in recent weeks amid higher international crude oil prices and market volatility.

On September 3, Nairametrics reported that Brent crude had risen to $96.98 per barrel as conflict in the Gulf intensified, while petrol prices at filling stations had risen above N1,310 per litre. The development came as oil marketers reviewed their pump prices amid higher international crude prices.
Nairametrics subsequently reported on September 6 that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) attributed persistent petrol price volatility to factors including crude oil sourcing, domestic refining, logistics and transportation costs.

Earlier, in July, Dangote Refinery had moved from naira-denominated to dollar-based pricing for petrol, fixing its ex-depot price at $0.779 per litre. Nairametrics reported that the change meant the naira equivalent of the refinery’s petrol price would fluctuate with movements in the exchange rate.

Broader cost-of-living pressures have continued to weigh on Nigerian households in recent times.

On August 31, Nairametrics reported that economists said Nigerians could wait between 12 and 20 years to fully feel the benefits of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

They noted that structural reforms typically involve a period of adjustment before improvements in productivity and real incomes become evident.

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Popular socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana ChiefPriest, has thrown his weight behind FCT Minister Nyesom Wike amid the growing political disagreement between the minister and APC governors and Governor Hope Uzodinma in particular, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ChiefPriest, in a post shared on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, argued that the APC would need support beyond its own membership to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He specifically pointed to the importance of votes from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and Accord Party, while urging President Tinubu to resolve the disagreement involving Wike and members of the APC.

“Fact is we need Wike oh. We need that PDP votes we need Labour Party votes we need accord votes because two is better than one,” ChiefPriest wrote.

He also made it clear that, in his view, political value in the South-East should take precedence over party affiliation.

“Me I won’t support APC candidate that has no value in this southeast and beyond,” he stated.

ChiefPriest subsequently called on Tinubu to resolve the differences involving Wike and other political actors, adding that the coalition arrangement that helped Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election should, in his opinion, be maintained ahead of 2027.

“If not for collabo how Asiwaju for take win first term so we do it again,” he added.

His comments come as tensions continue between Wike and APC governors, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma among those pushing for a stronger party structure ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike, meanwhile, has maintained that his support for President Tinubu does not amount to a commitment to join the APC.

ChiefPriest’s latest position therefore places his emphasis on Wike’s potential electoral value and a broader cross-party alliance, rather than simply relying on the APC’s existing political structure.

Wike have recently launched attacked at the APC governors, picking out Governor Hope Uzodinma in particular in his barrage of attacks.

ChiefPriest was once appointed as a Special Adviser by Uzodinma. He contested the House of Representatives ticket of the party but lost.

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayekooto Akindele, has claimed that the 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, are secretly purchasing shares in the Dangote Refinery.

Dangote Refinery IPO, which opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, comprises 4.1 billion new ordinary shares offered at ₦525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at ₦5,250.

The ₦2.15tn offer is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms contained in the prospectus.

In a post he shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, while addressing those criticising the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Ayekooto alleged that while Atiku and Amaechi are allegedly purchasing shares in the refinery, their supporters still believe in the return of the fuel subsidy.

He said, “Atiku and Amaechi are secretly buying Dangote Refinery shares but their uninformed illiterate followers are shouting “Bring back subsidy.” May we not be foolish in our lives.”

Ayekooto further noted that while some Nigerians are losing hope in the country, citizens living abroad are actively investing in Nigeria, including purchasing shares in the Dangote Refinery.

“Wailers living in Diaspora are making their domestic counterparts here feel hopeless about the country.

“Whereas Diaspora Wailers are busy investing in Nigeria, rushing to buy the Dangote Refinery shares, while those Wailers who reside in the same country where Dangote resides are exhibiting traits of hopelessness,” he added.